A DRIVER has been quizzed by police after his high-performance sports car was involved in a crash which killed a pedestrian on a busy Southampton road.

Freelance computer programmer Laurence Griffiths was knocked down by a blue Maserati Coupe which mounted the pavement in Bassett Avenue on Saturday afternoon.

Today police confirmed both the driver of the Maserati and his passenger had been arrested and questioned in connection with the fatal crash.

The pair, both in their 50s and from Southampton, had been detained at the scene of the collision, which happened just north of the junction with Ridgemount Avenue.

Police said both had now been released after questioning, pending further inquiries into the crash.

Meanwhile traffic officers today formally named the victim as Laurence Kelvin Griffiths, who lived in nearby Bassett Row. The 55-year-old was believed to have been married but estranged from his wife.

Police said the Maserati had been travelling north along Bassett Avenue when the crash happened between the Winchester Road and Chilworth roundabouts. The collision, which happened at 4.50pm, caused the road to be closed for several hours - just as thousands of Saints fans were battling to get out of town after Saturday's victorious clash with Arsenal.

Today police issued an urgent appeal for witnesses to the incident. In particular, traffic officers want to trace the occupants of a green people carrier-type vehicle which was travelling south and the occupants of a Smart car heading north around the time of the crash.

Both sets of people are believed to have vital information to help the police inquiry.

Contact Eastleigh traffic police on 0845 045 4545.