Halesowen hit-and-run victim was 'driven at' police tell inquest

Benjamin Morse was hit by a dark coloured hatchback car in Cherry Street, Halesowen.

The 36-year-old had been dropped off in a taxi with a group of friends after a night out, when a ‘verbal altercation’ took place between them and a driver of another car, Black Country Coroners Court heard.

They were then ‘driven at’ before Mr Morse, from Yewtree Road, also in Halesowen, was knocked over and the car drove off, it was alleged.

The incident happened on May 1 at around 12.15am.

Medics battled to save his life but he was pronounced dead a short time afterwards, the inquest, sitting in Oldbury, heard.

Detective Inspector Justin Spanner, said: “We were called to a serious incident and upon arrival one person was injured.

“A dark coloured hatchback had drove off from the scene.

“Mr Morse had been out drinking with three friends at a local pub when they got a taxi back together.

“They were involved in a verbal altercation with another vehicle.

“They had been driven at on more than one occasion and then Mr Morse was knocked over and the car drove off.

“We are currently looking at many hours of CCTV.”

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and later released on police bail.

Two men, aged 32 and 19, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and have also been released on police bail.

The cause of death was given as head injuries at the inquest, held earlier this week.

Senior Coroner Zafar Siddique adjourned the hearing for six weeks pending the outcome of criminal investigations.

The heartbroken family of Mr Morse, who had worked as a labourer, issued a tribute statement last week saying that he was a ‘kind and loving son, brother, uncle and friend who would do anything for anyone’.

They added: “He was sports mad, fun loving and an Arsenal fanatic and has left a huge hole in our lives; our family will never be the same again.”