Two men have been arrested on suspicion of drug-driving after a nine-year-old girl died following a crash in the Hockley area of Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said the pair were also held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after officers were called to Icknield Street at around 11pm on Thursday.
The nine-year-old, a passenger in one of two cars involved in the collision, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but died a short while later.
A worker in the local area who saw the aftermath of the crash said one vehicle came to rest on a pavement near the wall of a railway bridge, with another badly damaged car left in the middle of Icknield Street, a busy dual carriageway.
A nearby resident, who did not witness the crash and did not wish to be named, said: “It’s a terrible tragedy for the girl’s family.
“There have been fatal accidents on this road in the past, but not in the past few years. It’s just a shock. It’s awful.”
A statement issued by the West Midlands force said: “Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this devastating time.
“A woman and two other children from the same car were also taken to hospital to be assessed for injuries.
“Two men aged 22 and 23 from the second car, a BMW, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs.”
Witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam or doorbell footage are being asked to contact West Midlands Police via its Live Chat service or to call 101, quoting log 5769 of April 2.
