Man, 60s, killed in hit and run as stolen Audi crashes into house - police hunt driver

Merseyside Police are hunting for a man who fled the scene after the stolen Audi he was driving hit and killed a pedestrian and then ploughed into a building.

Police and paramedics were called to Netherton at around 9.05pm on Thursday night. A man in his 60s, who had been struck by the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The vehicle, a black Audi S8, which is suspected to have been stolen during a previous burglary, collided with the pedestrian and then crashed into a house on Morgan Mews. The male driver fled the scene on foot along Swifts Lane and it is likely that he suffered injuries during the crash.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy McCourt said: “This is truly a horrific incident in which an innocent member of the public has been tragically killed by a stolen car. The driver of the car has then made off on foot ... it is only a matter of time before we find you and arrest you.”

The Audi S8 is believed to have been stolen in a burglary in the early hours of Thursday 13 April in the Harrison Drive area of Rainford. It is believed the offenders may have travelled to the Rainford area in a grey Audi Q2 which was stolen in a burglary in the Caithness Drive area of Crosby also during the early hours of 13 April. The Audi Q2 was recovered by police in Rainford.

Appeal for information: “The family and friends of the man who was killed have been left devastated by their loss and I am determined that we will get justice for them,” said DCI McCourt.

“If anyone in the community knows who that person is or has any information I would urge them to come forward. I would also appeal for any witnesses who may have CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage in the area of the collision or in the areas of Caithness Drive and Harrison Drive to please come forward and assist us.”

How to contact police:

• If you witnessed this incident or have any information please contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 1042 of 13^th April.
•  You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.