Police hunt for suspects after man killed by car in Stokesley (From The Northern Echo)
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Police hunt for suspects after man killed by car in Stokesley
5:01pm Sunday 20th January 2013 in News
By Emily Flanagan, Reporter
Detective Superintendent Steve Smith makes a public appeal for information
POLICE are searching for the occupants of a Range Rover who fled the scene after the vehicle careered off a road and struck a 27-year-old man, leaving him with fatal injuries.
The man had just left the home he shared with his mother and sister to walk into the centre of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, when the crash took place, at 12.20pm on Saturday.
As he walked down a path towards the High Street to buy some lunch, a silver Range Rover careered off North Road, smashing through a wall and a lamppost and pinned the him against the wall of a derelict building.
According to police, the occupants of the powerful car then fled, abandoning it at the scene.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested nearby and police arrested an 18-year-old male on Sunday evening.
The victim, who is believed to have worked and lived locally, has not yet been named.
Speaking today (Sunday, January 20) senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Steve Smith, said the man lived not far from the scene of the accident with his mother and sister.
He said: “We went to see his family last night and they are understandably devastated in every sense of the word.
“It was a normal, winter’s day. He went out to get his lunch and didn’t get back home.”
The horrific accident happened on a residential street behind Stokesley’s High Street, and police say they know there were a number of people about when it happened, including elderly residents.
Many have already come forward, but police are still appealing for all witnesses who saw the accident, or vehicle prior to the collision, to come forward.
North Yorkshire Police were unable to confirm whether the silver Range Rover, which had personalised number plates, was stolen.
Det Supt Smith said a number of people had come forward to give evidence and they were pursuing several lines of inquiries. But they are still appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
He said: “I know there were lots of people of all ages walking around this street at the time of the accident. There were some elderly people walking down here – a lot have already contacted us.
“But if you were in the area yesterday and saw the collision or people running away from that collision, please contact us if you haven’t already.”
Both teenagers remain in custody.
Det Supt Smith said: “If you were one of those people in the car, come forward now.
“This is your opportunity to explain what happened.”
Anyone who saw the Range Rover travelling through Stokesley prior to the collision, or during the accident should contact North Yorkshire Police.
They are also keen to hear any information about the whereabouts of the other occupants of the vehicle who fled the scene.
People can call police on 101 and give information to the control room quoting incident number 212 of 19 January, or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.
