COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Police are now searching for the men who stole the car

A man has been killed in a hit-and-run by a car that had been stolen at knifepoint just minutes before.

A 38-year-old man was walking along Barras Lane, Spon End , just after 12.30am when he was hit by a black Chevrolet Captiva, which had been stolen less than a mile away and just minutes before.

The man was taken to hospital but he didn't survive his injuries despite the best efforts of paramedics.

Police are now searching for the men who stole the car at knifepoint.

Despite the best efforts of ambulance staff, nothing could be done to save the man and he died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Man hands himself in to police after hit-and-run death

A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run in Coventry on Tuesday morning.

Detectives have today stated a 26-year-old local man handed himself into a police station and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and robbery.

Inspector Steve Radford, from West Midlands Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said: "Our investigation remains ongoing and we will be interviewing the man in custody today.

"We believe that two men ran from the vehicle, so we are still appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Man charged following fatal crash in Coventry

A man has been charged with a number of offences after a man died following a crash in Coventry.

Jason Harris, aged 26, of Chevral Avenue, Radford, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, driving while unfit through drugs, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, threatening behaviour and robbery.

He will appear at Coventry Magistrates' Court this morning.

'Loving father' named as victim in fatal Spon End collision

A man who died in a fatal collision in Spon End has been named as Leigh Price.

The 38-year-old was rushed to hospital following a collision with a car on Barras Lane in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

His family have described him as a loving father, brother, nephew and counsin.

In a statement released today they said: "Leigh’s death has come as a huge shock to us all and we are devastated. We would ask anyone with information to please contact the police."

Carjacker admits causing death by dangerous driving in Coventry

A carjacker has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a Coventry dad by dangerous driving.

Leigh Price was killed after being hit by a stolen car in Barras Lane, Spon End, in the early hours of July 3.

The Chevrolet Captiva - which had been stolen at knifepoint from Gordon Street, Earlsdon, just minutes earlier - was being driven by Jason Harris who handed himself in to police after an appeal for information from West Midlands Police.

Harris, 26, of Cheveral Avenue, Radford, appeared at Warwick Crown Court Court today where he admitted a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Having been officially arrested and charged with a number of offences, Harris today entered a guilty plea to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

He also pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and driving without insurance and a licence.

No pleas were entered to charges of driving while unfit through drugs and threatening behaviour.

A second man appeared in the dock alongside Harris.

Gerry Fawkner, 23, of Almond Tree Avenue, Aldermans Green, also pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

He did not enter a plea to a charge of threatening behaviour.

Both men were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on October 26.

Coventry men jailed over fatal hit and run


Image caption - L - R Jason Harris and Gerry Fawkner

Two Coventry men have been jailed for causing the death of a pedestrian after mounting a curb in a stolen car.

The pair threatened a man who was parked on Gordon Street with a knife, punched him and stole his Chevrolet Captiva.

They drove off without headlights, travelling along the Coventry ring road onto Barras Lane, before mounting the curb and striking 38-year-old Leigh Price.

The two men failed to stop at the scene and after crashing on Radford Circle moments later, abandoned the car and fled on foot.

Mr Price was taken to hospital, but sadly nothing could be done to save him and he died later from his injuries. The man from the stolen car received minor injuries.

Within days Jason Harris and Gerry Fawkner handed themselves in to local police.

Harris, age 27 of Cheveral Avenue, Coventry was found to have been driving the car, with 24-year-old Fawkner of Almond Tree Avenue, Coventry, as passenger.

On Friday 7th December at Coventry Crown Court, both were sentenced, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

Harris was jailed for 10 years: five years and nine months for death by dangerous driving, four years for robbery and three months for possession of an offensive weapon. He was also disqualified from driving for 11 years and will have to sit an extensive test before getting behind the wheel again.

Fawkner was jailed for five years and four months for robbery and six months for possession of an offensive weapon.

Mr Price's family have previously paid tribute to their loving father, brother, nephew and cousin. They said: "Leigh's death has come as a huge shock to us all and we are devastated."