Man dies and baby left with life-threatening injuries following fatal A34 crash with Walsall driver arrested

A man has died following a fatal collision which also left a baby with life-threatening injuries.

The male, in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident on the A34 on Friday (October 23). Emergency services were deployed following the crash involving a stationary Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and a Mercedes Sprinter van.

The French vehicle had broken down on the southbound carriageway between Upper Bullington and Worthy Down, close to Sutton Scotney Services. The driver of the car died in the crash. His next of kin were informed.

A woman and two children who were travelling in the Citroën were also injured. One of the children – a one year-old baby girl – remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the van – a 33-year-old man from Walsall – was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and causing serious injury by careless driving. He has been bailed with conditions until December 4 while police continues to conduct extensive enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding the collision.

Detective Sergeant Oliver Cahill-Smith, of the Joint Operations Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the victims of this collision, one who has sadly died and another who is in a critical condition in hospital, and their loved ones at this extremely difficult time.

Sign up for our free newsletters and let the headlines come straight to you

“We are carrying out a thorough investigation to establish exactly what happened. We know there were a number of motorists travelling on the A34 southbound near Sutton Scotney at the time of the collision. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a Citroën Picasso which had broken down prior to the collision and who witnessed the subsequent collision involving a Mercedes Sprinter van.

“We are also appealing to any drivers who were travelling on the A34 southbound between Upper Bullington and Worthy Down between 3pm and 3.20pm and who may have dash-cam footage. Any footage showing the vehicle before the collision occurred could be just as important as footage of the collision itself.

“If you have any information, dash-cam footage, mobile phone footage, or any other digital media that may assist our investigation, please contact police as soon as possible. Anyone with dash-cam footage or other digital media is asked to retain the original recording and inform investigators as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is advised to call 101, quoting the crime reference number 44260520753. Reports can also be made online via the police website.