Rather than be tasered, boy lies down, is run over and killed

A 16-year-old boy who was killed by a car while under arrest for aggressive behaviour lay down on the road after being threatened with a Taser, police have said. Police intercepted the boy on Albion Street at Brasall, Ipswich, after receiving reports of a man allegedly carrying a machete about 11pm on Saturday.

Deputy Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said police confronted the youth, who was unarmed at the time, and after they presented a Taser, he lay down on the road. Mr Stewart told reporters the teenager had been "obviously aggressive".

"They (police) took steps to deal with that and this person made his own choice to immediately comply and lie down on the road once the Taser was presented to him," Mr Stewart said.

While the teenager was on the road, he was hit by an 18-year-old female driver of a car. Police said they tried to warn the woman, but without success. The boy sustained serious head injuries and was taken to Ipswich General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The incident is being treated as a death in custody and the Ethical Standards Command (ESC) is investigating.

Police said the female driver was treated for shock at the scene and will not face any charges over the incident.