Ref. 30792-8THE driver of a car which crashed on Pinehurst Road, killing one young man and leaving another fighting for life gave himself up to police yesterday.

Grieving friends of Matthew Styles, who was killed in the Sunday night smash, yesterday had called on Gary Huckin, of Naunton Road, Walcot, who left the scene of the accident before the emergency services arrived, to hand himself in.

Police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "At 1pm he voluntarily entered the police station and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving."

Huckin, who arrived with his solicitor, was then held in custody for questioning.

The news came as the other victim, local man Mickey McCann was being treated in the intensive care unit at the Great Western Hospital. His condition was described yesterday evening as "stable."

Mr McCann, who is in his mid- 30s and Mr Styles, 19, were back seat passengers in Huckin's Ford Mondeo estate when it collided with a tree just before midnight on Sunday. They were thrown out as a result of the impact.

Local people believed they had accepted a lift into town from Huckin after meeting him at a barbecue.

Emotions ran high among the victims' friends in the wake of the crash. They coned off a section of the road close to the scene on Monday so they could pay their respects and observe a minute's silence in memory of Mr Styles in safety.

Tributes to the young man, who lived in Whiteman Street with his mother Ann, covered the trunk of the tree where he died and yesterday more appeared along with a flag of St George. Matthew was a keen football fan and played for the Olive Grove team.

Mr McCann, who has family living in Pinehurst Road, was understood to have recently recovered from a previous accident and had only just come off crutches. He was described as very friendly and outgoing.

His sister Olivia McCann has been keeping a bedside vigil at the hospital.

Tina Clarke