A POLICE officer is being investigated for causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal police chase on the M4. 

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed it is investigating the events that led to the death of 17-year-old Jamie Donnelly on Tuesday, January 2.

Jamie was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra that was being pursued by police officers after failing to stop.

The car collided with a traffic island at the end of a slip road near junction 15 and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The IOPC said its investigation has revealed that both the Astra and the pursuing police vehicle had gone through red lights and had been travelling up the slip road at speed.

And just minutes prior to the fatal crash, the IOPC said three police vehicles had unsuccessfully attempted to execute a controlled stop of the Astra through a boxing in manoeuvre on the M4.

The constable who was behind the wheel of the police vehicle which followed the Astra off the motorway is now under criminal investigation for causing death by dangerous driving.

The officer has also been served with a gross misconduct notice for potentially breaching police standards of professional behaviour.

The IOPC said the serving of a criminal letter and gross misconduct notice does not necessarily mean that any proceedings will follow.

IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said: “We have been in contact with Jamie Donnelly’s family to express our sympathy for their sad loss, and to explain how our investigation will be carried out.

"Our investigation is at an early stage and is considering whether officers acted in accordance with local and national policies, and their training.

“Following the conclusion of our investigation, we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service and we will also determine whether any disciplinary proceedings should follow for a police driver.”