The road between Thrussington and Sileby is usually quiet at that hour, the kind of stretch where headlights cut cleanly through darkness and nothing much happens. But just after 1 a.m. on Saturday, that calm was shattered when a blue BMW 5 Series left the A46 and crashed, killing three women and leaving a Leicestershire community struggling to absorb the loss.
Police have now named two of the women who died as Neeru Patel and Bhamini Karsan, both 42 and both from Leicester. The third woman, who was also in the car, has not been publicly identified at the request of her family. Emergency crews rushed to the scene in the early hours, but all three women were pronounced dead following the single-vehicle collision.
Investigators say the BMW left the road for reasons still under investigation. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved. A 37-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has since been released under investigation as police continue to piece together exactly what happened in those final moments before the crash.
As the formal investigation moves forward, families have begun the harder work of speaking about who these women were beyond the headlines. In a statement released through police, Neeru Patel’s family described a life defined not by noise or attention, but by quiet, steady care for others. They said she lived “rooted in love, compassion and quiet faith,” a woman whose kindness often went unseen but was deeply felt by those around her.
They spoke of a gentle presence, of values passed down through daily actions rather than words, and of a legacy carried on through her two children. Even in grief, the family’s message focused on continuity — on love that does not end with loss, but changes shape and endures.
Bhamini Karsan’s family painted a similarly vivid picture of a woman at the heart of her home and community. She was, they said, a devoted mother, wife, and daughter, known for a warm, bubbly personality that drew people in. Friends and relatives remember her not just for her kindness, but for the way she made others feel welcome, seen, and valued.
The stretch of the A46 where the crash occurred remained closed for several hours as officers carried out forensic work and recovery efforts. For locals, it has become more than just a section of road — it’s now a place tied to names, faces, and unfinished lives. Flowers and quiet tributes have begun to appear nearby, small gestures marking a loss that feels anything but small.
Police are continuing to appeal for information as their inquiries continue, but for now, the focus in Leicester has shifted from how the crash happened to who was lost. Three women set out together in the early hours of Saturday morning. Only memories came back.
