A widow who offered a £5,000 reward is still trying to trace the driver who caused fatal injuries to her husband as he walked along an unlit country road more than a year ago.
Dee Ware launched a fresh appeal – without the reward – after yesterday's inquest into the death of her husband, Simon, who died after being hit by two vehicles in Ashby Lane, Bitteswell, near Lutterworth, on December 19, 2011.
The hearing at Leicester Town Hall heard how Mr Ware, 44, of Broughton Astley, was knocked down by one vehicle then run over by a second.
Coroner Lydia Brown recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing how Mr Ware died of extensive pelvic injuries caused by the first collision.
The second driver, who was commended by the coroner for stopping to help, broke one of Mr Ware's legs but this injury did not contribute to his death.
After the inquest, Mrs Ware said: "Although it has been over a year, I am utterly devastated but also extremely angry. My grief has been compounded by the fact the driver who first struck Simon then failed to stop has still not been traced.
"Somebody out there knows what happened.
"Simon was left lying injured in the road. Despite witness appeals and the offer of the substantial reward we are no closer to learning the truth."
Motorist Daniel Brown told the inquest how he ran over what he thought was an object in the road as he drove to pick up his daughter from Sharnford at about 5pm.
He said: "I didn't see anything until it was too late."
Mr Brown said he thought something was wrong so he stopped and turned back.
He said Mr Ware, who was wearing a black suit and black overcoat, was conscious and talking to people trying to help him.
Forensic pathologist Stuart Hamilton said toxicology reports showed Mr Ware had a blood alcohol level of 350 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood – nearly four-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit of 80.
His injuries were consistent with someone who had been hit by a vehicle from behind – and then run over by a second vehicle.
He said Mr Ware was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary but suffered a catastrophic collapse and a heart attack minutes after reaching the hospital.
Detective Sergeant Adrian Keeble said: "We are either looking for a HGV driver who does not know he hit Mr Ware or a hit-and-run driver.
"We would like to be able to give this family some closure."
Anyone with any information can call DC Keeble on 101.
