Four teenagers have been taken into custody on suspicion of murder following the death of a 44-year-old man in a collision near a pub in Lancashire.
Authorities responded to the incident in Accrington town center around 10pm on Wednesday, where the victim, identified as Matthew Weller, was struck by a car near the Nag’s Head pub at the junction of Blackburn Road and Birch Street. Mr. Weller, a resident of Accrington, was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Support is being provided to his family by trained officers.
Three 17-year-old boys from Accrington and an 18-year-old man from Blackburn have been apprehended on suspicion of involvement in the incident and are currently detained.
The police reported that a Volkswagen Passat involved in the collision did not stop at the scene and was later discovered abandoned on Barden Road before being retrieved for further examination.
Detective Superintendent Mark Dickinson, leading the investigation, encouraged anyone with information or footage from the Birch Street vicinity to come forward to assist with inquiries. He specifically requested individuals who may have seen the VW Passat after the incident or have relevant CCTV or Ring doorbell recordings from the area around Barden Road and Lynton Road where the vehicle was abandoned to contact the authorities.
Det Supt Dickinson reassured the community that efforts are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
Individuals with relevant information are urged to contact the police on 101, quoting log 1508 from Wednesday, April 22. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website at crimestoppers.org.