A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following a fatal collision on June 30 near Royal Wootton Bassett.
The crash occurred around 6:05 pm on the B4696, between Brinkworth Road and Lydiard Plain, involving two vehicles: an orange Peugeot 107 traveling northbound and a black Vauxhall Astra heading southbound.
Tragically, the driver of the Peugeot, a woman in her 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. A teenage girl, who was a passenger in the Vauxhall Astra, sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized.
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The driver of the Vauxhall, who was initially treated in hospital, has since been taken into custody for questioning. Wiltshire Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior interactions with the suspect.
The Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) is now leading the investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker stated, “This collision is being treated as a murder investigation. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, who are being supported by specially trained officers. We understand the community’s concerns but assure the public there is no wider risk.”
Authorities are seeking witnesses and any dashcam footage, particularly from the areas of Cricklade High Street, Purton High Street, and surrounding roads on the day of the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Wiltshire Police at 101, quoting reference 54260078318.