A38 Derby Crash Kills 4, Leaving 33-Year-Old Driver Arrested

Q: What made police suspect dangerous driving after the A38 crash that killed a baby girl and three Leeds adults?

Police have not publicly said what specific evidence made them suspect dangerous driving. What Derbyshire Police have confirmed is that the red Hyundai left the A38 and crashed into trees near the A50 Toyota Island and the A516 at about 11pm, killing four passengers and seriously injuring the 33-year-old driver, who was then arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. That arrest indicates investigators believe there may have been evidence that the manner of driving fell far below a safe standard, but the force has not yet set out whether that suspicion is linked to speed, loss of control, impairment, distraction, road conditions, vehicle defects or witness accounts. The public appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage strongly suggests the investigation is still at an early stage and that police are trying to establish exactly what happened in the moments before the car left the carriageway. In fatal crashes, officers commonly make an arrest at an early stage to preserve evidence while collision investigators examine the scene, the vehicle and any digital or video material. So, based on the information released so far, the reason for the suspicion has not been disclosed; it remains part of an ongoing investigation.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 26

Four people — a baby girl, two women aged 18 and 30, and a 36-year-old man — died after a red Hyundai left the A38 in Derby and hit trees around 23:00 BST Saturday.
Derbyshire Police said the 33-year-old driver suffered serious injuries, remains in hospital and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The crash happened between the A50 Toyota Island and the A516; the baby was taken to hospital but died shortly afterward, while the other three victims died at the scene.
All five people were from Leeds in West Yorkshire, police said, adding relatives have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
The dual carriageway was closed for several hours before reopening, and police are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage.