A tragic incident on the A419 in Swindon last night (02/01) has left a teenage boy dead following a collision involving a Vauxhall Astra. Three other occupants of the vehicle sustained minor injuries and have been placed under arrest by the Wiltshire Police.
The fatal incident occurred at the junction of the A419 and M4 shortly before 11 pm. The Vauxhall Astra collided with the roundabout at the junction, resulting in severe injuries to one of the occupants, believed to be a teenage male, who tragically lost his life at the scene. Formal identification of the victim has not yet taken place.
The three remaining occupants, all in their 20s, suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision.
Following preliminary investigations, a male in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The two female occupants, also in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent. All three individuals are currently in police custody.
It has been disclosed that the incident unfolded after a police pursuit, adding to the complexity of the case. By standard procedure, Wiltshire Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will undertake an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. At this time, specific details regarding the pursuit are unavailable due to the ongoing IOPC inquiry.
As a result of the collision and subsequent investigations, road closures have been implemented. The A419 southbound from the Commonhead roundabout to the M4 has been closed, along with the M4 eastbound exit slip road for J15. These road closures are expected to remain in place for a significant portion of the day, prompting authorities to advise motorists to seek alternative routes wherever possible.
Wiltshire Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or may possess dashcam footage capturing the incident or the vehicle’s activities before the collision. Those with relevant information are encouraged to contact the police at [email protected].
