Slinfold; Crash Victims Identified

Two teenagers who died when their car left the road and hit a tree have been identified.

William Richardson, 18, who was driving the Peugeot 306, and his passenger Asa Caudill, 19, were travelling with two teenage passengers on the A264 Five Oaks Road near Fulfords Hill in Slinfold, Horsham, when they crashed at 8.10pm on Friday, Sussex Police said.

Mr Richardson, of Hayes Lane, Slinfold, died at the scene while Mr Caudill, of Arun Road, Billingshurst, West Sussex, was taken to St George's Hospital in London for emergency treatment. He died from his injuries on Saturday morning.

The two passengers, an 18-year-old man from Billingshurst, suffered serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening, and a 17-year-old girl from West Chiltington suffered minor injuries, a force spokeswoman said.

They were both taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, for treatment.

Four men who were travelling behind the Peugeot in an Opel Astra were arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Two aged 18 and one aged 19 have been released with no further action, the spokeswoman said.

The 18-year-old driver of the Opel Astra, from Billingshurst, has been released on bail until August 28 pending further inquiries.

Sergeant Alan Spicer, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: "All fatal road traffic collisions are tragic but even more so when it involves young people just starting out in life.

"I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to officers to please do so as a matter of urgency.

"We would also like to hear from any other drivers who saw the silver Peugeot or the silver Opel Astra prior to the collision.''

Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Marline or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk.