A TEENAGE girl arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving was tonight being quizzed by police after a smash in which her 17-year-old friend died.

A silver Toyota Yaris in which four teenagers were travelling left the southbound carriageway of the A34 in the early hours today between the Pear Tree and Botley interchanges, near Oxford, and crashed into a tree-lined embankment.

A 17-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire, who was a rear-seat passenger, died following the crash at 4.15am.

Three other teenagers, another 17-year-old girl and two males, aged 17 and 18, were injured.

Last night, the 18-year-old male – a rear-seat passenger – was in a critical condition and fighting for his life in the John Radcliffe Hospital, while the other two injured teenagers were recovering following treatment.

The driver, a 17-year-old girl from Oxfordshire, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Police have not charged anyone in relation to the incident.

Police and Highways Agency staff sealed the road off while emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the crash.

The southbound carriageway was closed for six hours, causing chaos on roads in and around Oxford.

Sgt Nick Perks, of Abingdon roads policing department, said: “This was an absolute tragedy and our big question now is why the car left the carriageway. We are working with forensic collision investigators to try to establish that.

“Officers have spoken to the people who were in the car, but only for a short time at this stage.

“We need to speak to them in more detail to find out exactly what happened. This accident will be the subject of a lengthy investigation.”

Sgt Perks was unable to say where the four friends had been before their car crashed or where they were heading.

He said: “Ambulance staff and fire crews attended the accident and eight officers from Abingdon roads policing have been working on this investigation.”

Sgt Perks said the families of the teenagers had been alerted to the crash by police and the identity of the girl who died would be released by Oxfordshire coroner’s office.

The crash happened opposite the Wytham turn and the road was closed until 10am while police accident investigators examined the scene.

About 15 firefighters from Rewley Road and The Slade fire stations in Oxford, and firefighters from Kidlington fire station were called to the crash.

Pc Sandra Terry, of Thames Valley Police, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the car prior to this incident, or witnessed the collision itself.”

The accident caused serious disruption for rush-hour commuter traffic, with drivers diverted on to the Oxford ring road.

Heavy queues built up in the Kidlington area and in Beaumont Street and St Giles in Oxford city centre.

Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.