‘Search your conscience’ over hit-and-run death
By The daughter of a pensioner killed in a hit-and-run a year ago today has urged anyone with information to “search their consciences” and speak to the police.
Charles Small, aged 78, was killed following the incident in Eastville on November 26 last year. He was crossing Robertson Road on his way to church when he was hit by a dark-coloured Peugeot hatchback.
Hit-and-run victim: Charles Small
The driver left Charles lying in the road and drove off towards Stapleton Road. The popular pensioner’s life support machine was turned off two days later.
Now Sonia Byfield, Charles’s daughter, has made an appeal on the anniversary for help in catching the driver who left her father for dead.
“Our father was taken from us a year ago now and his death has left a huge hole not just in the lives of our family, but of everyone who knew him,” she said.
“Next month would have been his 80th birthday and he has a great-grandchild due soon who he will never meet.
“One year on and we are still very much grieving our loss. What has compounded our grief is the thought that someone struck him with their car, then paused before driving off, leaving him for dead.
“We need our local community, or anyone with any information, to search their consciences and come forward to speak to the police.”
A 30-year-old woman arrested in December 2008, and a 30-year-old man arrested last April, have both been released without charge.
Detective Inspector Gary Stephens, leading the inquiry, said he was “positive” someone in the community knew who was responsible. Police are investigating the possibility of there being a passenger in the car which hit Mr Small.
“We are dedicated to bringing the person responsible to justice to help end the agony his family have endured for the past year,” he said.
“We know that many members of the community are equally eager to see someone convicted for this crime and there has been much talk locally about who may have been involved. My appeal to these people is to come forward and tell us everything they know.
“We continue to investigate the possibility that there was a passenger in the car when the incident happened. A year has now passed: we need this person to have the courage to come forward.
“I am positive there is information out there that people are holding back, whether due to fear, or the misconception it will not help. I would urge them to listen to the appeals of Charles’s family and do all that they can to support us in convicting the person responsible.”
Anyone with any information should contact Bristol CID on 0845 456 7000 or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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