The devastated family of a beloved father-of-one who was tragically mowed down by a stolen car in a hit-and-run today wept during an emotional appeal to find his killer - as harrowing footage shows the moment he was ploughed.
Darren 'Daz' Whitehouse's heartbroken mother Suzanne Timmins was embraced by her family as she broke down in tears after her appeal to the public for information at West Midlands Police headquarters in Birmingham.
The 43-year-old father was on a pavement talking to a friend on a bike when he was struck from behind by a stolen silver Infiniti car in Tipton, West Midlands, on February 27 last year - the day after his step-father's funeral.
Mrs Timmins, who heard the crash take place, told reporters at Lloyd House: 'I really need someone to come forward. It could have been anybody's son. I heard the accident from where I was sitting on my sofa.'
Dashcam footage shows the seconds leading up to Mr Whitehouse's tragic death. CCTV shows the car speeding away from the scene of the crime with its front bumper hanging off while it crosses a grass verge.
Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the incident. Two people have been arrested in connection with the crash but no-one has been charged, they added.
Darren 'Daz' Whitehouse, 43, was walking his dog near to his home in Tipton, West Midlands, when he was struck in St Mark's Road
Video footage released by police shows Mr Whitehouse talking to a cyclist on the pavement on the road
Mr Whitehouse was looking in the opposite direction to the silver Infiniti, which mounted the pavement at around 1.40pm
The car then ploughed into Mr Whitehouse, who was fatally injured. The cyclist who was next to him was also injured, but not seriously
In a statement following his death, his family said: 'We are devastated at the sudden loss of Darren.
'We are so grateful for the support that the local community have shown to our family, thank you.'
Officers say the car involved had been stolen from a house in Rowley Regis three days earlier.
Friends paid tribute
