Quick Read
- A police pursuit on the M4 near Reading resulted in a crash on February 17, 2026.
- The westbound carriageway between M4 Junctions 10 and 11 was closed due to fuel spillage and barrier damage.
- The driver, a man in his 30s, was arrested on multiple charges including dangerous driving and attempted grievous bodily harm.
- The incident caused significant traffic delays and required emergency resurfacing work.
READING (Azat TV) – A high-speed police pursuit on the M4 motorway near Reading culminated in a serious crash on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, leading to extensive westbound carriageway closures and significant traffic delays for commuters across Berkshire and beyond. The incident, which saw a driver in his 30s arrested on multiple charges, prompted emergency repairs and left a vital transport artery severely disrupted for much of the day.
The dramatic events began in the early hours of February 17, when Metropolitan Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle on the A4 at the junction with Earl’s Court Road in London around 03:15 GMT. The driver failed to comply, initiating a pursuit that quickly moved onto the M4 westbound, just before junction 10 near Reading. During the chase, the suspect reportedly rammed a police car, causing it to swerve and lose a tyre, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police.
Police Pursuit Leads to M4 Crash
The pursuit came to an abrupt halt when the fleeing vehicle crashed on the M4 westbound, bringing traffic to a standstill. The driver, a man in his 30s, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a range of serious offenses. These included dangerous driving, attempted grievous bodily harm, driving on false plates, possession of a bladed weapon, failing to stop for police, and driving through a red light. He was transported to a hospital by the South Central Ambulance Service, where his injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening. Authorities planned to transfer him to police custody once medically cleared.
Aftermath and M4 Delays
The collision’s aftermath was immediate and far-reaching. National Highways responded by closing the westbound carriageway between junction 10 (Winnersh Interchange) and junction 11 (Three Mile Cross Interchange) starting around 5 AM GMT. The closure was necessitated by a fuel spillage from the collision, which affected all lanes, and damage to the nearside barrier, requiring immediate cleanup and structural repairs. Thames Valley Police and other emergency crews worked throughout the morning and into the afternoon to manage the scene and facilitate the necessary works.
Drivers were advised to exit the M4 at junction 10 and utilize diversion routes such as the A329(M) or local roads like the B3270. However, these alternatives quickly became congested, with reports of one mile of tailbacks approaching the closure and delays stretching back toward junction 9 for Maidenhead. National Highways kept the public informed, urging travelers to allow extra journey time, plan ahead, or consider delaying non-essential trips to avoid the affected area, as reported by outlets including the BBC.
Emergency Repairs on M4 Westbound
By late afternoon, recovery crews initiated lane closures to begin lifting the full carriageway shutdown. However, lanes 1 and 2 remained closed for emergency resurfacing work, and the westbound entry slip from the A329(M) northbound also stayed shut. A full carriageway closure was anticipated overnight to complete the resurfacing and ensure the road’s integrity and safety for future traffic. The incident highlighted the significant impact that even a single serious event can have on critical national infrastructure and the daily lives of thousands of commuters.
The disruption caused by this police pursuit and subsequent crash underscores the vulnerability of major motorway networks to unforeseen incidents, demonstrating how quickly a routine journey can be impacted and the essential role of rapid response and clear communication from authorities like National Highways in mitigating widespread chaos.