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A murder investigation has been launched following a crash that killed Barbara Mullaney, an elderly woman, and left a teenage passenger seriously injured on the B4696 near Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire on the evening of June 30. A 43-year-old man, initially arrested on suspicion of driving offences, has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Police are urging anyone with dash cam footage from the vicinity of the collision on June 30 to come forward as they continue to investigate. The Wiltshire force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior involvement with the suspect, who remains in custody.
Wiltshire Police have launched a murder investigation following the fatal collision that killed Barbara Mullaney, with a 43-year-old man now arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to prior involvement with the suspect and are urging witnesses or anyone with relevant dash cam footage to come forward.
What remains unclear — The specifics surrounding the circumstances of the crash leading to the murder investigation have not been detailed.
Murder investigation initiated after fatal crash claims life of woman in her 70s
Police have opened a murder investigation after a crash killed an elderly woman and left a teenage passenger severely injured.
The two-car collision happened on the B4696, between Lydiard Plain and Braydon Road, near Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, on the evening of June 30.
Wiltshire Police said the fatal incident involved an orange Peugeot 107 travelling northbound and a black Vauxhall Astra travelling southbound.
The driver of the Peugeot, a woman in her 70s named Barbara Mullaney, was declared dead at the scene, while the teen passenger remains in hospital.
A man aged 43, who was driving the Vauxhall, was first arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
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He has now been further arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
While initially taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries after the crash, he was later taken into custody for questioning.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement: ‘Following initial enquiries, I can confirm this collision is now being treated as a murder investigation, and the suspect has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
‘My thoughts continue to be with the victim’s family and all that knew her. Her next of kin have been informed of this latest development in the investigation, and they continue to be supported by specially trained officers.’
He added that, while the incident ‘may increase community concern’, people should be ‘reassured’ that ‘there is no risk to the wider public’.
Police are ‘working to piece together the events’ that led to the tragedy.
‘We remain keen to hear from any witnesses or anyone who might have dash cam footage from the area of the collision at the time.
‘In addition, any witnesses who have dash cam footage of a black Vauxhall Astra from Cricklade High Street, Purton High Street, and surrounding areas on Tuesday, June 30th.’
Furthermore, the Wiltshire force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous involvement with the suspect.
A force spokesperson said earlier this week: ‘We received a number of calls from the public relating to the subject prior to the collision throughout the day [yesterday], which are forming part of the investigation.
‘On that basis, we have referred ourselves to the IOPC.’
Members of the Cricklade community are mourning the death of Mullaney, a beloved pet shop owner.
Wendy Hindley and Lizzie Rose of Indico, a neighbouring business on the High Street, called her a ‘bright and caring’ woman.
She said: ‘It is difficult to believe that such a bright, bubbly, funny, caring, and kind person could be taken in the most cruel, mindless circumstances.
‘Everyone, pets and their humans alike, will miss her desperately. Elvis, our pug, certainly will.’
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for fellow business The Wild Fig Deli said they were ‘absolutely heartbroken for the loss of [their] dear friend’, affectionately referring to her as ‘Aunty Barbara’.
Several other locals said Mullaney was the ‘heart of the community’ and she ‘touched the lives of so many people over the years’.