Hit-and-run driver stopped and approached dying victim, inquest hears
The driver of a car involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash stopped and approached the victim before driving away, an inquest heard.
Peter Salter died after being struck by a silver Mercedes as he crossed Evans Street, in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, at around 10pm on October 26.
An inquest was today told how Mr Salter, 63, died from traumatic head and neck injuries just yards away from the home he lived in with his wife.
The driver of the Mercedes stopped and approached his body before getting back into the car to talk to a passenger, Black Country Coroner's Court was told.
The passenger was then said to have got out of the vehicle before the driver left the scene.
Mr Salter, a painter a decorator, was declared dead at the scene.
A 48-year-old who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has since been released and the investigation is continuing.
Coroner's officer Stephen Binsley told the court on Monday: "Mr Slater was married to Mary and was a painter and decorator.
"At 10.08pm he was crossing Evans Street near to number 77.
"He was struck by a Mercedes.
"There is an investigation under way."
No members of Mr Salter's family attended the inquest at Black Country Coroner's Court, but they previously described how he "will be sadly missed by all.”
Area coroner Joanne Lees said she offered her condolences to his family, before adjourning the inquest until January 24 next year at 10.30am.
In a statement released through police, Mr Salter's family said: "He had many friends in the area and was a very friendly person who always had time for a chat - he was well known in the local Asda by all the staff members from meeting his wife from work.
"Pete also did a lot of charity work with his wife, including running the conservatory in West Park for over two years.
"They then went on to work with the Alzheimer’s Society with whom he would have been doing an event this Saturday in the West Park.
