Officer being investigated over police van crash that killed two teens on e-bike
A police officer is being investigated for dangerous driving following the deaths of two teenagers riding an e-bike in Wales earlier this year.
Best friends Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in May when they crashed on a Sur-Ron bike minutes after CCTV captured them being followed by a police van in Ely, Cardiff.
The incident ignited tensions between locals and police, resulting in fierce riots lasting several hours, in which dozens of officers were injured and property was damaged.
Today the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed the driver of the police van, an officer with South Wales Police, has been told they are being criminally investigated for dangerous driving. They had previously been served with a gross misconduct notice.
Harvey Evans was one of the victims of the tragedy (Media Wales)
Kyrees Sullivan died in the crash with his best friend (South Wales Police)The watchdog said a decision over potential disciplinary proceedings and any referral to the Crown Prosecution Service will be made at the end of the probe.
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IOPC director David Ford said: "Our independent investigation is progressing well and I want to again thank the local community for the support provided to our investigation, including through the sharing of CCTV evidence."
In the wake of the accident around 1,000 people attended a vigil in honour of the pair. Hundreds of bunches of flowers were placed at the scene and floral tributes also taped the entire length up one lamppost on the street.
Photographs showed hundreds of balloons - all shades of blue, the colour of Cardiff City Football Club - released into the air on residential streets. Many mourners were pictured holding the blue balloons and wearing white T-shirts, adorned with pictures of the two boys.
Flowers and tributes left at the side of the road (John Myers)Harvey’s mother said at the time: “Our hearts are truly broken by the sudden death of Harvey, our much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, friend, and boyfriend. He lived life to the full, he had a big heart and deep down he truly cared.
“He was a best friend to Kyrees, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family also. We ask for peace within the community and request that people leave the investigation to the police so we can get the answers we so desperately need to lay Harvey to rest.”
Kyrees' family added: "Kyrees was a loving, caring handsome young man, a loving son to Belinda and Craig, little brother to Aleah and Jordan and a special uncle KyKy to Myra. He was loved so much by his grandparents and aunties and uncles and his many cousins.
"Him and Harvey along with Niall were best friends since they were young and went everywhere together, they both had so many friends and were very well liked doing many things together, having fun and laughs. They were loved by not only their families but by their community as well. Belinda, Craig and families, would like to thank everyone for all their kind words, flowers, and messages since they lost their son.”
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