‘His only thought was to destroy evidence’: Evil hit-and-run driver left gran for dead then walked back to the scene and posed as bystander

A hit-and-run driver who killed a much-loved grandmother then tried to hide evidence by arranging for his car to be repaired in the aftermath before going on holiday has been jailed. The family of Katherine West, who was 59, said they will ‘never forgive’ Jack Knowles for his actions after he was locked up. Police said he returned to the scene in the aftermath posing as a bystander as others, including an off-duty paramedic, raced to her aid.

Knowles, 34, watched on, but did nothing to help. Greater Manchester Police[1] said Knowles drove onto Ladies Lane in Hindley, Wigan[2], from the roundabout with Bridge Street before his car hit Ms West. He briefly stopped, but then ‘quickly’ left the scene without checking on her, said a GMP spokesperson in a statement after last week’s sentencing hearing at Bolton[3] Crown Court.

The collision happened at around 9.40pm on Friday, November 5, 2021 as Ms West was crossing Ladies Lane, close to the junction with Haworth Street. Police said she had reached hatched markings in the centre of the carriageway, with one car slowing to allow her to cross, when Knowles drove onto the road. “In the days following the collision, Knowles arranged to have his vehicle repaired, with the intention of hiding any evidence that he had been involved,” said the statement.

“After an investigation, he was arrested and charged the following year. Katherine’s condition continued to deteriorate, and she sadly died in hospital on December 16, 2021.”

Katherine West (Image: GMP)

Knowles, of Ladies Lane, Hindley, was sentenced last Friday to 20 months in prison after earlier pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving and committing an act with intent to pervert the course of public justice. He was also banned from driving for 70 months.

Following the sentencing hearing Ms West’s family said: “It has taken over two years, but finally our family have received justice for Kath, a wonderful wife, mother, nana and friend, who was killed after being hit by a car. “The driver failed to stop and went to great lengths to cover up what he had done. We as a family will never forgive him for his actions then and the actions since.

Kath was a wonderful caring, compassionate and lovable human being, she always looked for the good in everyone. She loved to see people happy and enjoying themselves, she was loved and respected by everyone she touched, and we miss her dearly. “We are so proud of our amazing family who have dealt with their emotions and feelings with dignity and respect throughout this case and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those many people involved throughout this ordeal, especially, the North West Ambulance Service who attended quickly, the many doctors and nurses from Salford[6] Royal Hospital who nursed Kath, the off-duty ambulance driver who came to our aid, the police, our family liaison officer Pc Heap, and lead investigating officer Pc Philip Drummond and their team for their tireless pursuit of justice, and their constant care of us during the investigation.

“We would also like to thank friends and neighbours for their constant support, throughout this traumatic time which in fact is not yet and never will be over for us but at least now we get to grieve.” Pc Drummond, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said “Being bonfire night, it was busy with traffic and pedestrians, enjoying the festivities locally. Katherine was crossing Ladies Lane when she was struck by Knowles’ car, throwing her into the air.

He hadn’t been paying attention to the road ahead. “After the crash, despite knowing he had hit a pedestrian and with no consideration for their condition, Knowles chose to drive away – yet returned on foot, posing as a bystander rather than identifying himself as the driver. While others went to Katherine’s aid, he did nothing to help her – his only thought was to destroy evidence connecting him to the offences, by arranging for his vehicle to be repaired – he then went on holiday.

“Knowles’ driving that day was careless. However, his actions after were deplorable. Rather than admitting his involvement, he put his victim’s family through two years of unnecessary anguish.

He has finally been brought to justice and while it will never make up for their loss, I hope that it brings Katherine’s family some level of closure.

“I hope this serves as a reminder to those who continue to endanger the public – we will continue to bring you to justice.”

References

1. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Wigan (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Bolton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ Man who died after car crashed into ditch off M62 is named as heartfelt tributes paid (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ ‘I thought we’d been bombed – everyone was screaming!’ (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)