Tragedy struck on the A38 dual carriageway in Derby late on Saturday night as a red Hyundai veered off course, crashing into trees between the A50 Toyota Island and the A516 junction. The devastating crash claimed four lives, including that of a baby girl.
A 33-year-old man, driving the vehicle with passengers from Leeds, West Yorkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after sustaining serious injuries in the collision. He remains in hospital under police guard as investigations continue. A 36-year-old man and two women, aged 18 and 30, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The baby girl was rushed to hospital but sadly passed away a short time later. Relatives of those involved have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.
Emergency services responded promptly, leading to the closure of the carriageway for several hours while investigation and recovery work took place. The road has since reopened to traffic. Authorities urge anyone who witnessed the crash or possesses dashcam footage to come forward and assist with their investigation.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) highlights the dangers of dangerous driving, which claims an average of 1,695 lives annually across Great Britain. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of driver vigilance and adherence to road safety regulations in preventing further tragedies.