Man in 20s dies after A46 crash in Leicestershire as police make arrest

The driver of a lorry, aged 53, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the incident

Rachel Vickers-Price 06:02, 18 Feb 2026Updated 06:15, 18 Feb 2026

Emergency services were called to the scene before 6.30pm.

Pictured is traffic held up in the closure.(Image: supplied)

A man in his 20s has died after a multi-vehicle crash which closed the A46 overnight.[1]

A police investigation[2] is now under way into the crash on Tuesday night, February 17, with the force[3] issuing an urgent appeal[4] to other road users as the road remains shut. On Tuesday evening, just before 6pm, emergency crews were called to the A46 upon reports of a four-vehicle crash on the south-west bound carriageway - towards the M1 - just before the Beaumont Leys/Anstey junction. The collision involved a lorry, a grey Land Rover Defender, a black Kia Ceed, a blue Volkswagen Sharan, and a Volkswagen Transporter.

Leicestershire Police confirmed that the driver of the Land Rover - a man in his 20s - was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger in another car - a man in his 30s who was in the Sharan - was taken to hospital for life-threatening injuries.

He remains in hospital at this time and is still receiving treatment.

Leicestershire Police have urged any witnesses to come forward

The driver of the lorry - a 53-year-old man - has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody. Detective Sergeant Jack Cornick, from the force's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: "Our investigation to establish what happened is continuing, and I'd like to speak to anyone who can help. "I'm keen to speak to anyone who was travelling on either carriageway at the time and, in particular, anyone with a dashcam. I'd also ask for anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw any of the vehicles involved beforehand to get in touch. "Any information or footage you're able to provide could assist with our ongoing enquiries." The north-east bound carriageway has since reopened, but the south-west bound carriageway is expected to remain closed for most of Wednesday to allow for repairs.

Anyone with information can get in touch with police by filing an incident report here.[5] Make sure to quote incident 555 of 17 February.

Alternatively, anyone with information can call 101.

References

1. ^ the A46 overnight. (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ police investigation (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ the force (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
4. ^ urgent appeal (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
5. ^ filing an incident report here. (www.leics.police.uk)