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Father's plea to hit-run driver who killed son
Jack Lefley3 Dec 2008
The grieving family of a schoolboy killed by two cars on a pedestrian crossing today urged the driver of the first car to give himself up.
Michael Richard Martin McDonagh, of Neasden, was crossing a dual carriageway on Saturday when he was hit by a saloon car, which knocked him into the path of a second vehicle. The driver of the first car drove off.
The 11-year-old, known as Richie, died from his injuries in hospital later. His father, Martin McDonagh, said: "What has happened is breaking my heart.
"Give yourself up if you have a conscience and you know what you're doing to me, my wife and my family."
The accident happened as Richie was crossing the North Circular in Wembley outside a branch of Ikea. Mr McDonagh said: "My mother-in-law had just passed away. We were having a wake in the pub. Then somebody runs in and says Richie's been hit by a car.
"If the driver had stopped, I would accept that. But I will never forgive him now," he said. Richie's brother Shane, 13, described the young Liverpool fan as "thoughtful". "He had already bought the family's Christmas presents," he said.
Sergeant Chris Osborne, from the Met's Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We will have the vehicle on CCTV. I'm urging the driver to get in touch with us before we come and find him."
Anyone with information on the incident, at 7.20pm on Saturday, should call the unit on 0208 998 5319 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Reader views (2)
Dreadful, just simply dreadful. My heartfelt condolences to Mr McDonagh and his family. It is totally heartbreaking.
- Ann, Brighton East Sussex, 03/12/2008 21:24
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i new richie he was my cuz n friend his parents are in so much pain so however killed him better own up oresle the police will find you so if your looking at this please own up. R.I.P Richie!!!
- Lisa, london, 03/12/2008 19:50
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