CHELMSFORD

A taxi driver has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man he suspected of being his estranged wife’s new lover was mown down by a car in a residential street.

The victim, a man in his 60s, was killed after being struck by a Mercedes S Class car shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday night in a cul-de-sac in Chelmsford, Essex.

Residents of the street where the incident took place claimed the man arrested was the owner of a local taxi firm whose wife had recently left him.

One local said: “They were a lovely family. The parents split up and the woman had been telling us only yesterday about how happy she was with her new chap. The police told us there were two men involved and one knocked the other down.”

Neighbour Dave McCraig, 46, an HGV driver, said: “It was about 8 or 8.30pm in the evening when I heard a thud. After a couple of seconds I could hear a car roar off up the road.

“I was told the guy drove up onto the pavement and hit him before backing up over him.”

Mr McCraig, who has lived in the street for 18-years, said paramedics attempted to resuscitate the victim on the pavement where he lay.

But the man, who had suffered horrific injuries, was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

A police spokesman would not speculate whether the victim had been on the pavement or in the road when they were struck by the vehicle.
A short time after the accident officers from Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said a 63-year-old man from Chelmsford had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was arrested at Chelmsford Police station but it was not clear if he handed himself in.

Locals said the family used to live in Osea Way, where the incident took place, but had moved to another part of Chelmsford several years ago.

It is understood the couple’s daughter and son-in-law still lived in the street and the estranged wife had been seen visiting her family earlier in the evening.
Appealing for witnesses, DCI Marina Ericson, who is leading the investigation, said: “My team would like to speak to anybody who may have witnessed what happened last night and I would urge anybody that has not already spoken to officers to come forward.
“We will be continuing with our investigation today and part of Osea Way will remain cordoned off whilst our forensic examinations continue.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11596027/Taxi-boss-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murdering-a-man-he-hit-in-his-car.html
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