A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink and drugs, and causing serious injury by dangerous driving after a woman was hit by a van in Oxford.

Thames Valley Police said that at around 7.45pm on Thursday, a grey Ford Transit van and a woman were involved in a collision in Woodstock Road near the junction with Osberton Road.

Dr Shirley Pike, a leading academic and author of Marxism and Phenomenology, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, where she remains in a life-threatening condition.

READ MORE: Woman in hospital after previously calling for safe crossing

Dr Pike and other residents at Charles Ponsonby House, off Woodstock Road, have written to Oxfordshire County Council in recent years, pleading for improved road safety in the area.

The 89-year-old was reportedly attempting to cross Woodstock Road from Osberton Road, where Charles Ponsonby House – which consists of 34 one-bedroom retirement apartments – is situated.

Yesterday her family told the Oxford Mail they were “expecting the worst”.

A 45-year-old man from Thatcham has since been released under investigation. Now Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following the incident.

PC Julia Stroud, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Bicester police station, said: “We are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to please come forward.

“We’d also ask anyone with dash-cams and who was in the area around the time of this incident to please check any footage in case it may have captured something that could assist with our investigation.

“Anyone with information can contact us on 101 or via our website, quoting reference 43220347166.”

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi