Smethwick hit and run driver sought by police

Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver after a tragic crash involving a stolen Porsche claimed the life of a two-year-old boy in Smethwick, West Midlands. The collision occurred on Dartmouth Road. Emergency services rushed to the scene and transported the boy and four adults to the hospital. Despite their efforts, the child sadly passed away.

A 29-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man remain in critical condition, while another man and woman, both aged 30, are reported to be in stable condition. Investigators believe a grey Porsche Cayenne collided with a Toyota as it exited a roundabout on Kenrick Way. The Porsche driver fled the scene, and subsequent checks revealed the vehicle had been stolen earlier this month.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson stated: “We have gathered witness accounts and are conducting CCTV inquiries in the area. The road was closed in both directions for specialist reconstruction work but has since reopened.

“Following the collision on Dartmouth Road, four adults and a child were taken to hospital. Tragically, a two-year-old boy lost his life. The Porsche driver fled after the crash. Evidence indicates the vehicle was traveling from the roundabout on Kenrick Way before colliding with the Toyota. Further checks revealed the Porsche had been reported stolen earlier this month.”

Sarah Coombes, Labour MP for West Bromwich, recently raised concerns in Parliament about reckless speeding on Kenrick Way. She highlighted ongoing issues with drivers racing in the area, describing it as a persistent problem that has caused “deafening noise and extremely dangerous crashes” for years, despite the efforts of local authorities and police.

Det Sgt Paul Hughes from the West Midlands Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the young boy during this incredibly difficult time. I urge the Porsche driver to come forward and do the right thing. Fleeing the scene was a mistake; now is the time to make the right choice. I also appeal to anyone who witnessed the crash, has CCTV or dash-cam footage, or has not yet spoken to us to get in touch immediately.”

Footage from the scene appears to show that the Porsche and Toyota were involved in a head-on collision, though both vehicles ended up facing the same direction after the crash. The site is near the junction of Dartmouth Road and Roebuck Lane, within an industrial park that was quiet yesterday due to business closures. 

Adam Tranter, former cycling and walking commissioner for the West Midlands mayor’s office, commented on the broader issue of dangerous driving: “Reckless driving happens on a massive scale and is visible on every journey. A car is stolen every eight minutes in the UK, yet we fail as a society to tackle this problem seriously. These tragedies are the result of that collective failure.”

Police are continuing their inquiries into the crash and are working to locate the Porsche driver. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police at 101, through live chat on their website, or via email at sciu@westmidlands.police.uk, quoting log 4421 of December 14.