Death crash suspect bailed

TRIBUTES PAID TO DAD KILLED WHEN CAR CRASHED INTO A PUB

A SUSPECT arrested after a dad was killed when a car ploughed into a pub has been released on bail.

Paul Collinson, 54, died during the early hours of Monday after being struck by the Volkswagen Passat as he stood outside the County Hotel, on Walker Road, in Newcastle’s East End.

Another pedestrian was badly injured by the car, which had allegedly been involved in a police pursuit shortly before the fatal collision.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and was released on bail on Thursday.

The injured pedestrian and two other people who had been in the car remain in hospital in a stable condition, their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Paul’s three children Donna, Jessica and Paul, who are from Walker, issued a statement on behalf of the family paying tribute to their dad.

They said: “We just wanted to say how grateful we all are as a family for the amazing response we’ve seen from the community.

“It has been amazing to see how much our dad was truly loved by everyone. He had an infectious smile as big as his heart.

“Even though he’s gone we know that he will live on in people’s hearts through their memories and the stories they will tell of him.

“Our hearts are broken and we love him more than he could ever know.”

Northumbria Police received a report that two abandoned vehicles with damaged windscreens were in the Walker area at around 10pm on Sunday.

Enquiries identified a vehicle – a Volkswagen Passat – that may have been involved and it was discovered at midnight being driven in the Walker area.

Following a short pursuit, officers lost sight of the car but a short time later received a report the Passat had crashed into the two pedestrians outside the County Hotel.

Tributes have since been paid to popular Paul. Lifelong friend Tony Bell said he was smoking a cigarette outside the pub’s entrance at the time.

Mr Bell said: “He was a lovely lad, a really nice bloke.

“He used to enjoy a drink in the County most nights. Everyone knew Colli. It’s such a shame.”

A resident on nearby Burwood Road, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “He was a proper gentleman, he had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone”

Police have referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), for an independent investigation.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to Northumbria Police on 101, quoting log 1213 23/09/18.