Teenager Arrested After A38 Car Crash Leaves Five Youths Injured

Strategic Insights -

A devastating car crash occurred on the A38 in the early hours of Saturday, July 19, leaving five young men from the Wellington area injured. Two of the passengers suffered potentially life-changing injuries, while three others, including the driver, sustained less severe injuries. The driver, who was from the Tiverton area, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and driving while unfit through drink.

Key Takeaways:

  • The driver, a 17-year-old male from the Tiverton area, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, and driving while unfit through drink.
  • The driver was released on bail while Devon and Cornwall Police continued with their inquiries into the incident.
  • The crash involved a black Peugeot car that overturned onto its roof after colliding with a white Peugeot van that was left parked in a lay-by.
  • Passers-by helped pull some of the youths out of the wreckage, and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust sent five double-crewed land ambulances to the scene.
  • Two fire engines from Tiverton and Cullompton were mobilised, and a hazardous area response team was dispatched to the scene.
  • The road was closed in both directions all morning on Saturday while police forensic collision investigators examined the scene.
  • Devon and Cornwall Police appealed for any witnesses to come forward and to contact them via their website or by calling 101 and quoting log number 137 of 19/07/25.

Statistics:

  • 5 young men were injured in the crash, including 2 with potentially life-changing injuries.
  • 3 ambulances were involved in the response to the crash.
  • The road was closed for 4.5 hours while police forensic investigators examined the scene.
  • 2 fire engines from Tiverton and Cullompton were mobilised to the scene.
  • 1 person was arrested in connection with the crash.

Sources:

  • Wellington-Today.co.uk: "Teenager arrested following A38 car crash in Wellington area"
  • Devon and Cornwall Police: "Road policing unit investigating serious collision on A38"
  • South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust: "Ambulance service responds to serious road traffic collision on A38"