Police closing in on hit and run driver (From Daily Echo)

Officers continue work to find driver involved in fatal accident

10:11am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News

“The net is closing in.”

That was the message last night from detectives hunting the driver of the car who fled the scene of the horrific collision which killed a Hampshire teenager.

Detectives have now inspected more than 800 vehicles in the search for the motorist involved in the collision with Jade Clark, of Ringwood, who was riding her scooter on the A31 last month.

The Daily Echo joined Dorset Police as they worked to eliminate Volvo XC90s from their extensive list of vehicles. Daily visits are being paid to owners of Volvo XC90s across the country. Yesterday police inspected three vehicles – two near Salisbury and one in Sixpenny Handley – as well as pulling two over for inspection at the side of a road. None proved to be the car they were looking for.

Sergeant Stuart Pitman, deputy investigating senior officer, said in a direct appeal to the driver: “We will find you; the net is closing in.”

He added: “These officers won’t rest until we find the driver. This collision has shocked officers, which is why we are so committed to finding this person.

“The work we are doing is painstaking but all we need is that one call.

“This person has made an error of judgement. They may be frightened about coming forward and scared about the repercussions, but it is only going to get worse for them.”

Foreign vehicles have also been included in the search with police reiterating that the driver of the XC90 involved in the crash would definitely be aware they had struck the teenager.

Appeals have been made to body repair shops, vehicle spares and car breaker yards, who may have had enquiries to repair a damaged XC90 as well as members of the public who may have observed someone acting differently or noticed someone’s XC90 has suddenly disappeared.

Jade, 16, was killed when the red scooter she was riding was in collision with several other vehicles on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday, February 24.

A reward – which was increased from £1,000 to £5,000 thanks to Ringwood-based company Churchill Retirement Living – has also been offered for information leading to the arrest and charge of the driver. It could be raised to £10,000 with contributions from other firms in the pipeline.

Anyone with information should contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.