Jade Clark death: Police message to hit and run driver (From Daily Echo)

Jade Clark death: Police message to hit and run driver

9:30am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News

POLICE have today renewed their plea for the hit and run driver involved in a collision which killed teenager Jade Clark to come forward.

Senior investigating officer Insp Matt Butler said the driver of the Volvo XC90 must come forward.

The warning comes after Jade’s devastated family made an emotional appeal to the driver to come forward.

Jade, 16, from Ringwood, died in a collision on the A31 near the town on the evening of Sunday, February 24.

She was riding her red moped.

Insp Butler told the Daily Echo: “You have just seen how absolutely traumatised and devastated their lives are, that’s why we’re here today.

“We know that Jade was riding her moped along the A31 when she was struck from behind by a Volvo XC90. The Volvo XC90 left the scene before the police arrived.

“It will have damage to the front. We believe that the driver of the vehicle will know and will have realised that the collision has happened due to the damage on the front.

“To the public I would say if you see a Volvo XC90 with damage to the front, please do call Dorset Police – 01202 222222.

“To the driver of the vehicle, this is not going to go away, it has to be dealt with – the sooner you come forward and speak to us the better it is for everyone concerned to get the matter resolved, not just for the family, but for the driver as well.”

Jade’s mother Sharon Clark, flanked by stepdad Daniel Clark, dad Billy Herald and grandmother Linda Pidgley, bravely appealed directly to the driver at a press conference at Ringwood fire station.

She said losing Jade has left ‘hole in our hearts and our lives that we will never will”.

Jade was a member of the Young Firefighters’ Association at Ringwood and a former pupil of Ringwood School.

She was on her way to a party when she died.

The Crimestoppers charity is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and charges.

An inquest into her death was opened yesterday and heard she died of severe head injuries after the collision.

Coroner Sheriff Payne adjourned the hearing to a date to be fixed.

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

• Family's emotional plea to driver