FORMER Kidderminster Harriers striker Lee Hughes was being questioned today following a road accident in which an elderly man died.

The car passenger, who was in his 60s, was killed when the footballer's Mercedes was in collision with another vehicle.

The police have been searching for the West Bromwich Albion striker since the crash between Meriden and Coventry, just hours after he was named Albion's man-of-the-match on Saturday.

A West Midlands Police spokesman, who declined to confirm the name of the arrested man, said: "A 27-year-old man from Meriden, near Coventry, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop after an injury road traffic collision.

"He remains in custody at Little Park Street police station in Coventry and is due to be questioned by officers today."

A police spokesman said Hughes' silver Mercedes Cl55 coupe was in collision with a Renault Megane as it turned into Pickford Grange Lane just after midnight on Sunday.

A Coventry man who was a rear seat passenger in the Megane, died from his injuries.

His wife was taken to Coventry and Warwickshire hospital with a broken leg. The male driver suffered a broken pelvis and another male passenger suffered bruising.

Hughes was a product of the much-vaunted Kidderminster Harriers youth system. He spent three seasons in the first team at Aggborough from 1994 to 1997.

In his final season, he struck a staggering 34 goals to finish top scorer in the Conference but Harriers missed out on the title to arch-rivals Macclesfield Town. He moved to West Bromwich Albion - the team he supported as a boy - and became a firm favourite on the terraces.

The flame-haired striker was soon dubbed the "Ginga Ninja" and scored 31 goals in 42 games during the 1998-99 season.

A money-spinning £5m move to Coventry City followed but he returned to West Bromwich Albion last year as the team reached the top flight for the first time in 25 years.

A spokesman for West Bromwich Albion declined to comment on the accident but said the club was prepared to help police with any inquiries.