Teenager dies on A3 as police launch urgent witness appeal
Surrey Police have opened an investigation after a 19-year-old man died following a collision on the A3 in Guildford late on Friday night. Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway near the Wilderness Road junction at around 11.15pm on Friday 17 July 2026, where the man was struck by a vehicle.
Officers say they are working to piece together the circumstances of the incident and have issued a public appeal for information, with a specific focus on tracing the driver of a large white van that did not stop. The carriageway was closed overnight to allow collision investigators to work at the scene and has since reopened.
Appeal for witnesses, dashcam and the white van driver
Detectives are asking anyone who was using the southbound A3 between 11.05pm and 11.15pm to come forward, especially motorists with dashcam recordings. Officers are also seeking to identify and speak to the driver of a white van believed to have been in the area at the time.
Surrey Police said they are "keen to identify the driver of a large white van" that did not remain at the scene.
Those with information can contact Surrey Police via live chat on the force’s website, their online reporting form, or by calling 101. Details can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through its website.
Major route through Guildford affected overnight
The A3 is a principal route running through the borough, and closures near Wilderness Road can cause significant disruption across Guildford’s network of local roads. While the carriageway has now reopened, the police collision investigation will continue off-site as officers review witness accounts and any available footage. Drivers in the area on Friday night are advised to check any in-car recordings from the relevant timeframe, even if they believe they saw nothing significant, as small details may support the inquiry.
Local councillors and highways teams typically liaise with police following serious incidents to manage any residual traffic issues and ensure appropriate signposting; however, Friday night’s closure was lifted once scene work concluded, reducing knock-on impacts to weekend travel.
How residents can assist the investigation
- Share any dashcam footage captured on the southbound A3 between 11.05pm and 11.15pm on Friday.
- Report sightings of a large white van in the vicinity around the time of the collision.
- Provide any eyewitness accounts, however brief, via live chat, the online form, or by calling 101.
- Pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police have not released further details about the deceased at this stage. Next of kin procedures and formal identification are typically completed before additional information is made public. Updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
Key details at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | A3 southbound, near Wilderness Road, Guildford |
| Time of call | Around 11.15pm, Friday 17 July 2026 |
| Victim | 19-year-old man (died at scene) |
| Witness window | 11.05pm–11.15pm on the A3 southbound |
| Focus of appeal | Locating driver of large white van |
| Contact | Surrey Police live chat/online form/101; Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 |
Anyone with relevant information is urged to assist. Even short clips or partial recollections can help establish a clearer sequence of events on this busy stretch of road. InfoRadar will continue to monitor the investigation and provide verified updates for Guildford readers as they are released by the authorities.
