Two people from York have died following a collision in Leeds when a vehicle fleeing police struck their car early on Sunday morning, authorities confirmed.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 00:44 GMT on Gelderd Road. According to West Yorkshire Police, officers attempted to stop a blue BMW 123D, which failed to pull over and subsequently collided with a white Volkswagen Scirocco.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a 22-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His 23-year-old female passenger was rushed to hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Both victims were residents of York.
Four occupants of the BMW were taken into custody following the crash. A 39-year-old man from Harrogate, alongside three teenagers—two boys aged 16 and 17, and a 16-year-old girl—were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. West Yorkshire Police confirmed that the 39-year-old man is also being held on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed limit for cannabis.
The three teenagers sustained injuries that were described as not life-threatening and were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Following standard procedure for incidents involving police contact, West Yorkshire Police referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The oversight body confirmed it initiated an independent investigation at around 02:30 GMT and dispatched investigators directly to the crash site to begin gathering evidence. An IOPC spokesperson noted that inquiries remain at a very early stage.
A full police scene and road closure were established along Gelderd Road, with officers actively turning cars around at the cordon and urging drivers to seek alternative routes. Aerial footage of the location, an area predominantly lined with car dealerships and business units that remained quiet on Sunday morning, showed a dark vehicle standing a short distance from the heavily damaged white Volkswagen outside a used car dealership.
West Yorkshire Police have issued an appeal for witnesses, requesting anyone who observed either vehicle prior to or during the crash, or who possesses relevant footage or information, to contact investigators.
