Greater Manchester Police have confirmed their investigation remains active into a collision on Smithills Dean Road that claimed the lives of two women in December 2025.
What happened
The crash occurred at about 7.40am on 22 December 2025 near the junctions with Scout Road. Emergency services attended and two female pedestrians, aged 59 and 57, were later pronounced dead at the scene. The women have since been identified locally.
Police action and suspects
A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after the collision on suspicion of causing two deaths by dangerous driving. Officers say he was released on bail while enquiries continue.
“The driver was bailed and we can confirm the investigation is still ongoing.”
The incident was investigated by GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, which issued appeals at the time for witnesses and for any dashcam footage recorded in the area.
Local impact and road safety concerns
The deaths prompted an outpouring of tributes from the community and renewed debate about safety on Smithills Dean Road. Local councillors have indicated they will wait for the police findings before considering any changes to the road layout or traffic management in the area.
- Collision date: 22 December 2025
- Location: Smithills Dean Road near Scout Road
- Victims: two female pedestrians, aged 59 and 57
- Suspect: a 19-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and subsequently bailed
How residents can help
Investigators continue to seek information from anyone who may not yet have spoken to officers. Useful contributions include:
- Dashcam or mobile phone footage recorded in the area around the time of the collision.
- Any personal accounts from people who witnessed the incident or movements of vehicles beforehand.
- Information about road or traffic concerns at the junction of Smithills Dean Road and Scout Road that may be relevant to safety assessments.
Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit to assist the ongoing enquiries.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 22 Dec 2025 | Collision at ~7.40am on Smithills Dean Road; two pedestrians killed |
| Shortly after | 19-year-old arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving |
| Aug 2026 | Police confirm investigation still ongoing; enquiries continue |
The continuing probe means any potential changes to traffic arrangements or road engineering will be considered only after investigators conclude their work and report findings to local authorities. That sequence has been stressed by councillors who say they will await the formal outcome before pursuing measures to address concerns raised by residents.
