Man Arrested over Fatal Hit and Run Collision on Fulham Palace Road


After car police believe to be involved was traced to Chiswick address

A 38-year old man from Alexandra Gardens in Chiswick has been arrested in connection with the hit and run incident in Fulham Palace Road which resulted in the death of 34 year-old Karl Jones, a New Zealander who lived in Clapton, East London.

Traffic officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, 1 June.

Police say officers were called at 2.24am to reports of a man injured in Fulham Palace Road after being in collision with a black VW Golf which did not stop at the scene.

London Ambulance Service attended and Mr Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination at Uxbridge Mortuary on Tuesday, 3 June gave the cause of death as a chest injury.

The car police believe to be involved was later traced to an address in Alexandra Gardens, W4. A man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in early July. A woman, aged 33, was also arrested but has since been released with no further action.

Police say it has now been established that Mr Jones was involved in an altercation in the Southern Belle public house on Fulham Palace Road shortly before he was involved in the collision.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Hampton Traffic Garage are investigating. Detective Sergeant Jeff Edwards leads the investigation and said: "Our enquiries have now established Mr Jones was involved in two separate incidents - one in the Southern Belle pub and one where he was involved in a collision with a black VW Golf.

"I would appeal to anyone who witnesses either of these incidents or events prior or immediately after these incidents, to contact police so we can piece together the series of events which led to this tragic incident."

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of the accident and was providing support to Mr Jones' family.

His family have posted a death notice in a local newspaper describing Mr Jones as a treasured son, brother and uncle and "Loyal friend to so many mates, an independent and proud spirit now free to roam."

His sister Karyn Jones, told local newspaper the Waikato Times: " He's such a loss. He's very popular. He's got lots of mates that thoroughly enjoyed his energy, worldwide - Australia, London, New Zealand.

"We've just been overwhelmed with condolences. We didn't know he had this much of a network, it's insane. There are grown men breaking down in tears every day around us. We had no idea - it has been quite humbling."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the witness appeal line on 0208 941 9011.

June 9, 2014