A MAN from Wellington will appear before magistrates on Monday (November 9) accused of four motoring offences after a pedestrian was critically injured during a police chase through Taunton on Friday night.

Police were in pursuit of an Audi A3 car in Taunton which hit a man in his 70s in East Reach at about 11.15 pm.

The pursuit ended at that point as officers stopped to provide emergency treatment to the man, who was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Later, police arrested Jack Hawkings, aged 23, of Bramley Close, Wellington, and charged him with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and driving without insurance or a licence.

Two women, aged 21 and 22, who were arrested at the same time have been released on conditional bail.

East Reach was closed in both directions while police inquiries were carried out, but reopened at about 12.30 pm.

Hawkings is being kept in custody until he appears in Taunton Deane Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision, and the moments leading up to it.

Anybody with any information who has not yet spoken with police is asked to call 101 and quote reference 5226360682.

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the Independent Office for Police Conduct as is procedure in incidents of this matter.

“The public can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area to provide reassurance.”

The injured man’s next of kin have been informed of the incident and are being providing with updates as the police investigation develops.

The officers and staff involved in the pursuit are also being provided with the appropriate support.