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23
Jul
WATCH: Tearful mother of Pateley hit-and-run victim urges driver to 'do the right thing'
The mother and stepfather of 19-year-old Bailey Chadwick, who was killed in a hit-and-run collision, urged the driver to “do the right thing” during an emotional public appeal today (July 23).
Dayle Knights and Daniel Horler said “no words can express” their devastation at a police press conference held alongside the B6265 at Lupton Bank, where Bailey was struck in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Ms Knights tearfully described her son as a “normal, happy, outgoing 19-year-old who had his whole life ahead of him".
When she was unable to continue, Mr Horler took over to say Bailey supposed to travel to Thailand this week and should be “living his best life and seeing a new country”, but was instead “left alone to die”.
North Yorkshire Police have issued several appeals to identify the driver, who fled the scene after colliding with Bailey on the road between Pateley Bridge and Glasshouses, to come forward.
Mr Horler said:
Bailey was torn away from us at such a young age. The fact that someone knows who was driving that night is heartbreaking for all of us. Please, if it’s you, do the right thing and speak to the police. Please, if you have any information that will help trace the person responsible, please help.
If you have any empathy within you whatsoever that is the least you can do.
Police believe Bailey was crossing the road at Lupton Bank sometime between 1.44am and 3.10am on Sunday when he was struck.
He was walking home after spending time with friends in Pateley Bridge, before which he had worked at the Royal Oak pub.
Below is a video of the B6265 Lupton Bank.
‘Come to us before we come to you’
Detective inspector Jill Cowling, of North Yorkshire Police's major collisions investigation team, urged anyone who was in the area at the time to get in touch.
She then directly appealed to the driver:
As the driver of this vehicle, you may not have realised at the time you collided with Bailey as he walked home. Now is the time to come forward.
The grief endured by Bailey’s family is further compounded by the fact the driver has not come forward. I am now appealing directly to the driver of the vehicle to do the right thing and contact us immediately.
DI Cowling said Bailey had “everything to look forward to in his life” and described him as a well-loved and popular young man.
“He had a lifetime of adventures ahead of him – now this is all gone”, she added.
DI Cowling said officers are conducting an extensive investigation into the incident with “numerous lines of enquiry”, including CCTV.
She added:
As the driver, this is your opportunity to come to us before we come to you. If you know who was driving the vehicle that fatally injured Bailey, then please do the right thing and contact us now.
I am extremely grateful to anyone who has already come forward with information. I urge anyone who can help with the investigation into this tragic incident to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
Bailey’s sister, Daniella, set up an online fundraiser to raise money for his funeral.
It has already generated more than £14,000. You can donate by clicking here.
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