THIS is the moment cops arrived at a “huge drift meet” before a two-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run.
The toddler was travelling in a Toyota when it was hit by a stolen Porsche Cayenne and the driver fled the scene.
Video footage shows dozens of cars at the event in Smethwick, West Midlands, on Saturday night – with engines heard revving and horns beeping.
The suspect fled the scene, with a manhunt then launched.
The force confirmed tonight a 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
CONTACT
Police were reportedly contacted about the drifters gathering less than an hour before the fatal collision at 11pm.
Russell George, 53, a safety consultant, said he’d been campaigning for over a decade to end the dangerous and anti-social gatherings of petrol heads.
“I rang the police at 10.20 on Saturday night because the racers were arriving.
“I went out in my car and the smell of burning was in the air from where they were doing their donuts and breaking.
“It’s been a serious problem for a long time now. I was devastated to hear what had happened but not surprised.
“It’s just really, really sad that it has involved a young child.”
Russell said up to 200 cars gather near blocks of flats off Kenrick Way most weekends for their unofficial “races”.
The issue was raised last month in the House of Commons by local MP Sarah Coombes.
“Sometimes the police do turn up and the cars all skulk away,” he said, “but they chose times, typically after 10pm on a weekend, when they know police resources are stretched.
“You have other people who come along to watch. I have seen them bringing kids with them.
“It is so selfish because they are doing this in a residential area.
“Hundreds of people live in the flats and the noise is terrible. I have cats and they are terrified.
‘Most people think it is just anti-social behaviour but it is more than that. It has always been an accidents waiting to happen.’
Russell said he believed the high performance cars go on a circuit which takes them down Kenrick Way, onto the M5 and back around.
“They are very organised,” he said. “You don’t quite have a chequered flag waiting at the finish but there are people there waiting for them to finish.
“The police need to get a get in amongst them, and target their cars. That’s the way to hurt them.”
West Midlands Police said the car which carried out the hit and run, a grey Porsche Cayenne, reported as stolen earlier this month, had come from the roundabout on Kenrick Way.
The accident took place near a railway bridge on Dartmouth Road which runs through an industrial estate.
A teddy bear and a bunch of flowers were attached to railings next to leftover police accident tape.
The two-year-old was travelling in a Toyota with four adults at the time of the collision.
All four were taken to hospital and police said a 29-year-old woman and 30-year-old man remain in a serious condition.
Another man and woman, both 30, are both said to be stable.
Tributes have poured in for the youngster.
One woman said: “How tragic. My heart goes out to the poor family who lost their little one. Just heartbreaking.”
Another added: “That little boy has a family, presents for Christmas, a bedroom.
“I feel so sorry for the family and hope the person responsible does the right thing and hands themself in.”
Local MP Sarah Coombes said: “My heart goes out to the family of the little boy killed in Saturday night’s hit and run.
“The area has had a long term problem with late night car racers which cause misery for those living nearby and this must be tackled.
“I don’t wish to pre-empt the police investigation as the racing may be entirely unrelated to this incident but local people tell me that the racing of cars is a danger and must be stopped.”
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of the little boy at this extremely difficult time.
“I would urge the driver of the Porsche to do the right thing and come and talk to us.
“They made the wrong decision to run away and I’m asking them now to make the right one.
“I also want to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision and hasn’t already spoken to us, or has CCTV or dash-cam footage to get in touch.”
Anyone with information can contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on email at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk.
Or, call 101 quoting log 4421 14 December.
A teddy bear was pinned to the fence today[/caption]
Police tape left at the scene[/caption]
A police car passes tape near where the crash happened[/caption]
