Police given more time to quiz murder suspect after West Bromwich hit-and-run
Detectives investigating a hit-and-run in West Bromwich have been given extra time to interrogate a murder suspect.
West Midlands Police officers will now have an extra 36 hours to question the man suspected of being responsible for the fatal early-hours crash on the town's High Street.
Meanwhile a VW Caddy van believed to have been involved in the collision has been recovered from the Birmingham area.
A 22-year-old man died in hospital after he was hit by a vehicle, believed to be the Caddy van, near the High Street's junction with Trinity Way at around 2.40am on Saturday.
Police reported that the vehicle had failed to stop.
A 38-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of murder and will now be quizzed for a further 36 hours after police were granted permission to keep him in custody.
Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, from the force's homicide team, said: "This is still very much an active investigation and we would ask for anyone who has any information, and not already spoken to us, to get in touch as soon as possible.
"We are currently reviewing CCTV and speaking to those in the area as we build up a picture of what happened in the early hours of the morning."
Part of Trinity Way and a 200-yard section of the High Street were cordoned off for most of Saturday while police investigated the crash.
Forensic officers scoured the street at the scene eight-abreast looking for evidence, until the cordon was lifted at around 3pm yesterday.
Specialist officers have been supporting the family of the victim, who has not yet been named, while a post mortem was due to take place today.
Vicky Sharma, the 27-year-old owner of Sagar Sweet Centre in the High Street, arrived at his business at 10am on Saturday to find a police cordon outside the premises.
He said: “I’ve been allowed to open but many other shops and pubs along the street have not been able to get to theirs.
“What’s happened is shocking but that junction is a very busy one and there have been other accidents along there since I’ve been here although none to my knowledge where anyone has been killed.”
Anyone with information can call 101, quoting log 281 of March 17. Alternatively ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
