Girl, 14, is killed after being hit by car on New Year’s Eve as man, 39, is arrested on suspicion of drug driving
A teenage girl has died after being hit by a suspected drug-driver on New Year’s Eve.
The 14-year-old was in Station Road, near Rowley Regis railway station, Sandwell, at around 4.45pm yesterday when she was struck by a grey Mercedes.
Paramedics attended the scene but tragically there was nothing could be done to save the girl and she was pronounced dead just before 5.30pm.
West Midlands Police has notified her family and a specialist Family Liaison Officer will be deployed to offer them support.
The driver, a 39-year-old man, stopped at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving while under the influence of drugs. He remains in police custody this morning.
Sergeant Julie Lyman from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘This is a truly awful way to start the New Year and my heart goes out to the girl’s family and friends.
‘We’ve started an investigation to understand what happened and the driver has been arrested as we believe he was driving while unfit through drugs.
‘The investigation is clearly in the early stages and I would urge people not to speculate online about what happened. It’s really not helpful and can be very upsetting for the family.’
Anyone who saw what happened or saw the grey Mercedes driving in the build-up to the crash is urged to get in touch.
The force says to message officers on Live Chat through its website or email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit directly at FL_COLLISION_INVEST@westmidlands.police.uk
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