POLICE are searching for two suspects after a Coventry man died in a hit-and-run involving a car allegedly stolen at knifepoint only minutes earlier.
The 38-year-old victim was walking along Barras Lane, Spon End, Coventry, just after 12.30am this morning (Tuesday, July 3) when he was hit by a black Chevrolet Captiva – which police say had been stolen less than a mile away.
The local man was taken to hospital, but sadly was unable to survive his injuries and died a short time later.
Police say the owner of the Chevrolet was threatened, assaulted and received minor injuries when the car was stolen on Gordon Street by two male suspects.
The men were then seen fleeing the scene of the crash on foot, leaving a large knife in the footwell.
The car has been recovered for forensic examination.
Detective sergeant Alan Hands, from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a deeply tragic set of circumstances where the theft of a car has led to the death of an innocent man who was simply making his way home.
“We are trawling through CCTV of the area to track the movements of the vehicle and where the two suspects may have escaped to.
“I would ask anyone with information to help us identify them to contact us as soon as possible on 101.”
Information can also be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of a collision between a car and a pedestrian on Barras Lane, Coventry, shortly before 12.40am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.
“On arrival, crews discovered a man who had suffered serious injuries and was in cardiac arrest.
“Ambulance staff immediately began CPR and also administered advanced life support which continued en-route to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW).
“Unfortunately, shortly after arrival at hospital it became apparent nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased.”
