Stolen van in police chase crashed into BMW in A46 Leicestershire horror crash

The van was being driven in the wrong direction on the A46 and crashed head-on with the BMW, police said

13:20, 29 Jun 2026Updated 13:32, 29 Jun 2026

The stolen van had got onto the wrong side of the A46 after leaving the M1(Image: Google)

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of[1] dangerous driving after a stolen van travelling the wrong way on the A46 crashed into a BMW while the van had been chased by the police.

The driver of the BMW was badly hurt and is being treated in hospital[2], Leicestershire Police said.

Police said a 26-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of[3] dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and theft of a motor vehicle.

The A46 westbound remains closed on Monday afternoon (June 29) after the crash was reported at 4.40am.

Police said at 4.10am officers had initially spotted a white Mercedes van that had been reported stolen and tried to stop it.

The van got away but it was picked up on the M1. During the pursuit, the van left the M1 at junction 21a, heading eastbound on the westbound lanes before crashing into the BMW 1 Series between Groby and Anstey at about 4.40am.

The driver of the BMW, who is in his 20s, is in a 'stable' condition in hospital but has serious injuries, Leicestershire Police[4] said in a statement about the incident.

The full statement from the police said: "The drivers of two vehicles have been involved in a collision on the A46, following a police pursuit.

"At 4.10am today (Monday 29 June), officers from the force's Roads Policing Unit (RPU) attempted to stop a white Mercedes van reported to have been stolen.

"After the driver failed to stop and left the scene, the van was spotted again a short time later and a police pursuit was authorised.

"At 4.40am the van was observed travelling from the M1 onto the A46 on the wrong side of the carriageway.

"The van then collided with another vehicle - a blue BMW 1 Series.

"Crews from the fire service and the East Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene.

"The driver of the BMW, man in his 20s, has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. He remains in hospital in a stable condition.

"A 26-year-old man was arrested from the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs and theft of a motor vehicle.

He is not believed to have suffered any serious injuries but has been taken to hospital as a precaution.

"The southbound carriageway of the A46 from the A50 roundabout to junction 21a of the M1 remains closed while the force's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) carry out enquiries at the scene.

"Following the collision, the force's Professional Standards Department was informed, and the incident will be referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

"Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information is asked to call 101, quoting incident 91 of 29 June."

References

1. ^ arrested on suspicion of (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
2. ^ treated in hospital (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
3. ^ arrested on suspicion of (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
4. ^ Leicestershire Police (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)