Reward for hit-and-run info

A reward is being offered to help find a hit-and-run driver who left a South Staffordshire woman needing hospital treatment.

Caroline Smith and her husband Steve were walking home from a charity fundraiser in Calf Heath, near Four Ashes, when the motorist smashed her right arm, taking a wing mirror clean off.

The Peugeot 206 slowed but then fled the scene of the accident, which happened just after midnight on April 19.

Police have so far been unable to trace the driver.

Steve, owner of Chase Tyres, based at Norton Canes, said: "We were walking the half mile or so home along Straight Mile from Calf Heath Village Hall.

"The road, as the name suggests is straight and it is well-lit. We were walking with our backs to the direction of any traffic on that side. There is no pavement so I was walking on the traffic side but when we heard a car, Caroline told me to walk in front of her because she had a light blue top on and I was wearing black.

"The next thing we knew, she had been hit. Smashed glass from the wing mirror, which was wrenched off with the force of the impact, had cut her arm and she was in a lot of pain.

"The car, which looked silver of light blue, started to slow down and I thought the driver was going to get out but then it sped off."

The couple, from Kings Road, called the police and walked home. An x-ray the next day confirmed that Caroline, aged 44, who works in the office at Chase Tyres, had suffered a fractured forearm.

Steve, aged 47, said: "I don't know how fast the car was going but it was definitely above the 40mph speed limit.

"There was nothing coming the other way, so the whole road was clear but the car was travelling so close to the edge.

"It is frightening to think what could have happened if it had been a few inches further over. Caroline is still able to work with difficulty but I am really angry this person didn't stop.

"I am prepared to offer a reward and somebody, perhaps a mechanic doing repairs, may be able to help."

Anyone with information should contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.