£2000 to find hit-run killer

From: Coventry News, UK
Oct. 25, 2002

By Lucy Wilson

The boss of a man killed in a hit and run accident has put up a £2,000 reward to try to track down the motorcyclist involved in the tragedy.

It is exactly three weeks since Ralph Potts, aged 55, was knocked down outside his home in Eld Road, Edgwick, Coventry.

He was crossing the road in an effort to stop his five-year-old daughter Chloe, who is deaf, from running out in front of traffic.

Police want to talk to the motorcyclist - but appeals for him or her to get in touch have so far drawn a blank.

Mr Potts worked as a picker-packer for warehousing and transport company Phoenix Worldwide Logistics at the company's site in Padstow Road, Tile Hill South, Coventry.

The company, based in Sandy Lane Radford, is putting up a £2,000 reward for information leading to identification of the motorcyclist involved in the crash, which happened at 4.45pm on October 4.

One of the directors, Mark Williams, said: "He was very well thought of by his colleagues who were very shocked about what happened.

"We will see if this reward helps the police get this person."

Contract manager Stuart Floyd was Mr Potts' manager. Mr Floyd said: "Everyone liked him. He was a perfect gentleman and a good employee. The atmosphere was very sad after his death."

Police still believe members of the public hold the key to tracing Mr Potts' killer.

In particular, officers investigating his death are urging an anonymous caller, who has rung police a number of times, to call them back.

It is thought the caller could have potentially vital information.

Sgt Ian Tipton, from Stoney Stanton Road police, said officers were following a number of lines of enquiry after receiving calls from the public.

Sgt Tipton added: "It is very much a live enquiry and we are just looking for that last piece of information which could help us catch the person responsible."

Police are asking the caller, or anyone else with information, to drop into Stoney Stanton Road police station, or call them on 024 7653 9020.

People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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