Driver arrested after car crashes into M4 central reservation

A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving

Molly Seaman

12:38, 04 Jan 2026

A man has been arrested after a car crashed into the central reservation on the M4 yesterday evening (Saturday, January 3).

Emergency services were called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash around 6.20pm on the eastbound carriageway of the motorway between junction 16 and 17.

Police arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of drink driving.

He was also further arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

At the time of the incident, GloucestershieLive reported[1] that drivers faced long delays on the motorway as two lanes were closed by police.

The motorway was reportedly cleared just over two hours later, and delays cleared.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "This relates to a road traffic collision involving a single vehicle on the M4 between junction 16 and 17 that took place at about 6.20pm on Saturday (January 3).

"A car driving eastbound struck the central reservation.

"A 40-year-old man was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police on suspicion of drink driving and further arrested on suspicion of drug driving."

References

1. ^ GloucestershieLive reported (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)