Three people are in custody following the May 7 collision near Aberthaw Road in Newport, Wales,
Two teenage friends lost their lives in the early hours of May 7 when a BMW collided with the motorbike they were riding near Aberthaw Road in Newport, Wales and then fled the scene before police arrived.
The victims have been identified as Jaydon Bowyer, 19, and Ta-Shay Canoville, 16, by multiple outlets including the Daily Mail and the Mirror. The two were traveling together one operating the bike and the other riding as the pillion passenger when the crash occurred between midnight and 1:40 a.m. local time. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Gwent Police confirmed the incident involved a BMW that reportedly left before officers could reach the location, describing the circumstances as an apparent hit-and-run.
3 people taken into custody
By Thursday, Gwent Police had arrested three individuals in connection with the fatal crash. An 18 year old man and a 40 year old woman were taken into custody on suspicion of murder. A 24 year old woman was separately arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remained in police custody as of the time of publication.
A Gwent Police spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday, May 10.
Police appeal for witnesses and surveillance footage
Investigators are now turning to the public for help as they piece together the events leading up to the collision. Gwent Police are asking residents along Aberthaw Road and surrounding areas to review any CCTV footage they may have from the early morning hours of May 7.
Drivers who may have passed through the area during that window are also being asked to check any dashcam recordings. Anyone with relevant footage or information is asked to reach out to Gwent Police, quoting log reference 2600141467.
Authorities also confirmed that specially trained officers have been assigned to provide ongoing support to the families of both victims throughout the investigation.
Tributes pour in for the 2 young friends in Newport
The deaths of the two teens have left family and community members devastated. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support the families of both 1) Bowyer and 2) Canoville as they cope with what the fundraiser describes as a profound and heartbreaking loss.
Bowyer’s mother, Sophie Louise Pederson, publicly mourned her son in an emotional Facebook post on the day of the crash. She described him as her firstborn and said she is struggling to process his absence, calling him her whole world and saying she cannot imagine life without him. She asked why this had happened and expressed that she is utterly heartbroken. Pederson wrote that her son was adored by everyone who knew him and urged him to shine bright.
Canoville’s death has similarly shaken those close to him, with friends and family adding their voices to the wave of grief spreading through their community.
Investigation ongoing
As of Sunday, May 10, Gwent Police continue to investigate the full circumstances of the crash. With three individuals in custody and a public appeal underway, authorities are working to build a complete picture of what happened in the moments before the two teens were killed.
Police have not yet released additional details about the BMW allegedly involved in the collision or the exact circumstances leading up to the crash.
Investigators continue to examine evidence and interview witnesses as the case develops.
Authorities are still encouraging anyone who may have seen suspicious activity near Aberthaw Road during the overnight hours of May 7 to contact Gwent Police and reference the official incident log connected to the investigation.
The deaths of Jaydon Bowyer and Ta-Shay Canoville have left family members, friends, and the Newport community mourning two young lives lost in a sudden and devastating collision.