Four teenagers have been taken into custody on suspicion of murder following the death of a 44-year-old individual in a collision near a pub in Lancashire.

Police responded to the scene in Accrington town center after reports of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle near the Nag’s Head pub at the junction of Blackburn Road and Birch Street. The victim, identified as Matthew Weller, was critically injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Support is being provided to his family by trained officers.

The suspects, three 17-year-old boys from Accrington and an 18-year-old man from Blackburn, are currently in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder. Authorities located a Volkswagen Passat abandoned on Barden Road, which is now being examined.

Detective Superintendent Mark Dickinson of the Major Investigation Team urged individuals with information or footage from the area to come forward. He specifically requested witnesses to provide any CCTV or dashcam recordings from Birch Street and surrounding locations.

The community is urged to assist in the investigation by contacting the police with any relevant information, quoting log 1508 of Wednesday, April 22. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers via phone or their website.