Two dead after car is hit by BMW during early-hours police pursuit: Man and three teens arrested

Published: 04:56 EST, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 05:17 EST, 15 November 2026 Two people died after a driver being chased by police crashed into another car in the early hours of this morning.Officers were pursuing a BMW through Leeds when it smashed into a Volkswagen.A 22-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, both from York, died following the collision.A 39-year-old man from Harrogate was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and of driving while under the influence of cannabis.He remains in custody. Three others who were in the BMW, two boys aged 16 and 17 and a 16-year-old girl, were also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, after being treated at hospital for non-life-threatening injures.Police began chasing the BMW 123D after it failed to stop on Gelderd Road, south-west Leeds, at around 00:45am.It smashed into a white Volkswagen Scirocco that was turning onto the route from Lowfields Road.The road was closed and a police cordon set up, while drivers were advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.West Yorkshire Police reported the incident to the watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has opened an investigation.The force is appealing for witnesses to come forward.They particularly want to speak to anyone who may have relevant dashcam, mobile or CCTV footage.The tragedy comes after two police officers and five teenagers were killed this summer during a pursuit on the A66 near Middlesbrough.PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, were killed when they were struck by a Volkswagen Passat hurtling the wrong way down the dual carraigeway on August 22.This is a breaking news story, refresh for updates.