Arrest after pedestrian hit during police pursuit
6 minutes ago
Kirsten Robertson
West of England
A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash that happened during a police pursuit.
A patrol car in Taunton, Somerset, activated lights and sirens to follow an Audi A3 without a front number plate at 23:15 BST on 6 November.
Police said a pedestrian, in their 70s, was hit in the East Reach area of Taunton city centre and is in hospital in a critical condition.
Jack Hawkings, of Bramley Close, Wellington, has been charged with four offences; causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and driving without insurance or a licence.
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He is being held in police custody and is set to appear at Taunton Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Officers halted their pursuit after the crash and provided emergency treatment to the pedestrian.
Their gender has not been confirmed by police.
The pedestrian's family have been told about the crash and they, along with the officers involved in the pursuit, have been offered support.
Two women, aged 21 and 22, have been released on conditional bail after they were previously arrested on suspicion of taking without consent have been released on conditional bail.
Avon and Somerset Police is liaising with the Independent Office for Police Conduct and has asked anyone with information about the crash to reach out.
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