A teenager suspected of driving the car which killed his friend and injured three others is "ripped apart" by the tragedy.

Michael Morden is said to be devastated and has been sobbing down the phone to pals since the tragedy.

Police have arrested him on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after he failed a breath test at the scene.

The teenager, of Haybourne Road, Whitehawk, Brighton, is suspected of being the driver of the car which crashed during the early hours of Saturday morning.

The red Mazda was seen driving erratically by police who signalled for the car to pull over.

The car did not stop and officers pursued it. But moments later, the vehicle smashed through a garden wall in Wilson Avenue.

Matthew Sadler, 17, of Whitehawk Way, Brighton, died soon after the crash and four others were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Chelsea Barnes and Amy Fitzsimmons, both 15, were released from hospital with minor injuries. Simon Piercy, 16, who had also been in the car, remains at the Royal Sussex in a critical condition.

Bilal Boulaich, 16, a pupil at Hove Park School in Nevill Road, Hove, who also lives in Haybourne Road, was not injured.

He decided to get out of the front seat of the car as it turned a corner in Meadowview, Brighton.

Michael Morden ran off after the crash but was arrested after being tracked by a police helicopter and a dog unit.

He has not been charged and has been released on police bail until March 31, while officers continue their investigations.

Both properties in Wilson Avenue where the car crashed were empty and police have boarded up the windows and removed a damaged Mercedes from one driveway.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun an investigation into the crash.

Crowds gathered yesterday to place flowers and say prayers at the wrecked wall in Wilson Avenue where the car crashed.

Friends say Michael has been crying down the phone since the fatal crash.

Billy Casaletto, 18, of Colgate Close, Brighton, said: "I feel sorry for Matty's family and I feel sorry for the driver.

"People were ringing Michael to wish him happy birthday. He rang his mate up and said he was crying down the phone. I bet it's ripping him apart."

Other friends have been urging him to stay strong on the social networking website Bebo.

One girl wrote: "I'm so sorry about what happened, I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. Come on, you can do this, thinking of you."

Another called Izzy wrote: "I hope you're OK. I know we haven't got on recently but I hope you're all right.

"Can't imagine how you're feeling. Thinking of you."

One friend wrote on Michael's 17-year-old sister's webpage, asking after Michael after hearing he was not feeling too good.

Friends of Matt also knew David Stunell, of Desmond Way, Whitehawk, who was stabbed to death last July in Vernon terrace, Seven Dials, Brighton.

They also knew Max Weston, 16, of Osborne Road, Brighton, who died from head injuries in December, in Ditchling Road, after running from police.

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