Five teenage boys were in a car which crashed in Co Westmeath overnight.
A 13-year-old boy tragically died following the single vehicle collision in the Lisclougher Great area of Delvin.
It's understood he was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident which happened at around 2.15am.
Another boy was seriously injured in the crash which is being investigated by the garda watchdog as it's believed the car came to the attention of gardai before the tragic incident.
Three other teens in the vehicle did not receive life-threatening injuries.
A garda spokesman said: "A 13 year old male occupant of the car has been pronounced dead at the scene and his body has been removed to the Mourtuary at Midland Regional Hospital, Mulingar.
"Another male youth, aged in his teens, has been taken to Mullingar Regional Hospital understood to be in critical condition.
"The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
"Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information, particularly any road users who may have dash cam footage of the area between 1:45am - 2:30am, to contact them at Mullingar on 044 938 4000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111."
A spokesman for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission told the Irish Mirror: "I can confirm that the incident near Delvin, Co. Westmeath this morning was referred to GSOC under s.102 of the Garda Síochána Act and that GSOC is conducting an examination.
"The circumstances of the referral was on the basis that gardaí had indicated for the vehicle to pull over however it failed to stop and drove away from the gardaí."
