A third suspect has been detained by police investigating a horrific hit-and-run in Kent, where an elderly pedestrian was carried on the roof of a car for more than a mile before he died.
Disturbing Details of the Collision
The incident occurred on Monday, December 29, at around 12.10pm on the A289 Gads Hill in Gillingham. The victim, a man in his 80s, was struck by a grey Mercedes estate at a pedestrian crossing. Shockingly, local reports indicate the pensioner was carried on top of the vehicle for approximately 1.5 miles before the car fled the scene.
Emergency services, including paramedics, rushed to treat the man, but he was later pronounced dead. The response was major, involving more than 20 police, fire, and ambulance vehicles, as well as the air ambulance and a police helicopter.
Police Investigation and Public Appeal
In the days following the tragedy, Kent Police released CCTV footage showing two hooded men in dark clothing fleeing on foot, with one holding a yellow number plate. This led to the arrests of a 29-year-old from Chatham and a 28-year-old of no fixed address.
Now, a 28-year-old man from Edgware, London, has also been arrested. All three remain in custody. Detective Inspector Zoe Wilczek of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit stated that while no further suspects are currently sought, the investigation continues.
The police are urgently appealing to the public for any dash cam or CCTV footage showing the grey Mercedes estate car, or anyone who witnessed the incident or the vehicle prior to the collision.
Community Reaction to a 'Surreal' Tragedy
Residents described the event as 'distressing' and 'surreal'. Ralph Belmonte, who lives near where the man was found, said the victim was discovered by a postman over a mile from the initial impact point. 'I do not know what has happened to society,' Mr Belmonte remarked, while praising the well-coordinated emergency response.
Another witness, a 32-year-old woman, described seeing two men 'walking quite close to the road and looked a bit out of breath' before later coming across the scene where CPR was being performed and the abandoned Mercedes.
