Car crash teen was quizzed over death

From the archive, first published Tuesday 7th Nov 2006.

A TEENAGER who is jointly accused of assaulting a Polish man who later died in hospital is fighting for his life after a car crash in Highworth.

The 18-year-old, who suffered severe spinal, abdominal and pelvic injuries, was travelling in the back seat of a green Toyota Corolla that ended up in a field after it veered off the road and demolished a bus shelter in the early hours of Sunday morning.

As previously reported, the car was travelling along Roundhills Mead, near Edencroft, when it lost control on a left-hand bend.

The 21-year-old driver and a further two passengers were hurt in the crash and had to be cut free by firefighters.

The 18-year-old, who is the most seriously injured of the group, cannot be named for legal reasons.

He is at the centre of an on-going court case into the death of 19-year-old Michael Zajac.

Mr Zajac was left with severe head injuries in the early hours of March 19, and died after a four-day fight for his life in intensive care at the Great Western Hospital.

The 18-year-old crash victim was originally arrested as part of a murder investigation, along with Darryl Curtis, 18, of Grove Hill, Highworth. He was not involved in Sunday's accident.

They are now charged with common assault on Mr Zajac.

They were due to appear at Swindon Magistrates' Court in August but the hearing was adjourned until a second post mortem examination into the death of Mr Zajac is carried out next week.

A resident, who was first on the accident scene, told the Advertiser the driver of the car and the front-seat passenger were from Highworth, while the fourth man was from Castle Eaton.

The two passengers were in their late teens or early 20s.

It is believed they were returning home from a party at 5am.

The accident prompted a large-scale response from the emergency services. Three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and a doctor were quickly on the scene.

The teenager with the most serious injuries was cut free from the car first.

It took firefighters more than an hour to remove one of the other passengers who was trapped.

All the victims were initially treated at the scene and were given intravenous fluids before being taken to hospital.

The crash has sent shockwaves through Highworth.

Steven Reynolds, 27, of Edencroft, passed the scene of the accident as he was taking his son to football later that morning.

He said the whole town had been talking about the crash.

"I spoke to someone who works at Tesco and everyone was talking about the crash on Sunday," he said.

"I didn't hear the accident at all, but I went out at 8.25am to take the little one to football and all that was left of the bus stop was two twisted pieces of metal.

"I'm not shocked. There are a lot of idiots in Highworth and some of the youngsters are out of control, but you could say that about a lot of places.

"I've been in Highworth 10 years and there have been a few road accidents, so I'm not surprised this has happened."

A spokeswoman for the Great Western Hospital said the teenager was in a critical but stable condition.

Police have appealed for anyone who saw the R-reg car at around the time of the accident to come forward.

The Toyota driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and was released on police bail pending further inquires.

Witnesses to the accident should call the police on 0845 408 7000.