Peacehaven man arrested after stolen Royal Mail van crashes on A259

Police are investigating a multi-vehicle collision on the A259 at Ovingdean following the theft of a Royal Mail van on Thursday (8 January). Officers received a report of a stolen vehicle in Hamsey Road, Saltdean, at around 2.30pm. The van was later located by police and was seen driving away from officers in Peacehaven at […]

Police are investigating a multi-vehicle collision on the A259 at Ovingdean following the theft of a Royal Mail van on Thursday (8 January).

Officers received a report of a stolen vehicle in Hamsey Road, Saltdean, at around 2.30pm. The van was later located by police and was seen driving away from officers in Peacehaven at about 3.05pm.

Following a short pursuit, the van was involved in a collision with four other vehicles on the A259 at approximately 3.10pm.

Fortunately, no other drivers required hospital treatment. The driver of the van, a 20-year-old man from Peacehaven, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance and aggravated vehicle taking. He was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The A259 was temporarily closed in both directions while emergency services dealt with the incident. Police have thanked members of the public for their patience during the road closure.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or the manner of driving of the van, or who has dashcam or CCTV footage and has not yet spoken to police, is asked to report it to Sussex Police online quoting serial 707 of 08/01.