Four teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder after Accrington town centre car crash horror (original) (raw)
The suspects remain in custody following the incident in Accrington on Wednesday
Four teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 44-year-old man was hit by a car in Accrington. Emergency services rushed to the town centre after receiving reports of a collision on Wednesday (April 22).
The incident occurred at the junction of Blackburn Road and Birch Street just after 10pm. A man had been struck by a VW Passat car. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where he sadly died.
This evening (April 23), he has been named as Matthew Weller who was 44 and from Accrington, reports LancsLive.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said: "Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. His family are being supported by specially trained officers."
According to the force, the car failed to stop at the scene and was later found abandoned on Barden Road. It has been recovered for examination.
Following enquiries detectives have today arrested four men – three aged 17 from Accrington and one aged 18 from Blackburn - on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody.
Det Supt Mark Dickinson, from our Force Major Investigation Team, said: “We have made good progress and while we have now made a number of arrests our investigation is very much ongoing.
“Our dedicated team of officers are continuing to carry out enquiries in the area so please approach them if you have any information or concerns.
“I would again ask any witnesses we haven’t already spoken to or anybody with mobile phone footage, CCTV or dashcam from the area around Birch Street to make contact with my team.
“I am also still keen to hear from anyone who saw the VW Passat following the incident or who may have any CCTV or Ring doorbell footage from the area around Barden Road and Lynton Road where it was found abandoned.
“I know that people in the community are shocked by last night’s events but please rest assured that we are doing all we can to establish what has happened and to find those responsible for this man’s death.”
“I am grateful to all those who have come forward with information so far and I am again appealing directly to anyone with any information to do the right thing and contact 101 quoting log 1508 of Wednesday, April 22nd.”
Members of the public can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers.org.
