Adam Jones hit-and-run tragedy: 'Help catch my son's killer'

These are the desperate words of the distraught mother of Adam Jones – the 15-year-old from Wednesbury who was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Eight months on from the tragedy, Mandy Ruston has made an emotional plea for help to catch her son's killer.

"I keep waiting for the phone to ring, for someone to tell me they have caught the person responsible. We don't want Adam to be forgotten about," said Mandy.

Adam was left to die after being hit by a Volkswagen Bora as he crossed at the junction of Beacon View Road and Walsall Road in West Bromwich on March 26.

The collision flung him through the front windscreen of the car, leaving him with catastrophic injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car fled on foot and has never been traced.

Today his mother, Mandy, aged 44, explains the devastating effect the loss of her son has had on her family as she pleaded for the person responsible to come forward.

She said: "I am appealing to anyone who may remember the events that occurred on that night in relation to the incident, or if you know or suspect who the driver was, to please contact the police."

Since Adam's tragic death Mandy has appeared on Crimewatch. A social media campaign that was backed by Albion keeper Ben Foster is still ongoing.

Adam had been out on his bike on the night of his death. He was killed less than five minutes away from his family home in Addison Road, Frier Park, Wednesbury.

Mandy said her family had been left 'unable to pick up the pieces' since Adam was killed.

Adam's father, Mark Jones, has not returned to work due to him suffering severe post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident. His two older sisters', Amy, 23 and Laura, 21, are both still struggling to come to terms with the loss.

Mandy has also taken time off from her job as a porter at Walsall Manor Hospital.

"Our lives totally changed in a split second," she said. "One minute we were a happy, bubbly family. Adam had everything to live for. Ten minutes after he left the house we had nothing.

"Everything stopped for us that evening. We've not recovered. We've not returned back to work. We don't do normal family things. We're just oblivious. All semblance of time has gone. Everything is just a blur.

"I did think that someone might come forward initially, but it hasn't happened."

Ms Ruston said she vividly recalls the day Adam was killed. She was cooking dinner when a knock on the door led to news from a family friend that Adam had been knocked off his bike.

Her partner Mark and daughter Amy immediately drove out to the scene.

"The ambulance came, but he was dead on impact," Ms Ruston said.

"We went to Walsall Manor. In my job I push dead bodies around on trolleys. So many times I've thought how sad it must be for the families, especially when there are children involved. This time it was Adam. That moment will live with me for the rest of my life."

On Saturday a memorial event was held in his honour at the Oakdale Social Club in West Bromwich.

It was organised by Arthur and Sharon Poll, whose 17-year-old son Scott was killed in a hit-and-run incident just yards away from their home in February 2006.

Mr Poll, aged 49, from Stone Cross, West Bromwich, said: "We know what the family are going through. Losing our son left us dead inside. You never recover. We want to raise awareness of the fact that Adam's killer is still out there.

"It is important that he is brought to justice so the family can start to grieve properly." Baggies fan Adam, who would have celebrated his 16th birthday in June, was known as a fun loving lad who enjoyed making people laugh.

Adam's sister, Amy, fondly remembers him as 'the best little brother in the world'. "He was more like a big brother really," she added.

"He looked after me and would buy me presents. We've been left in a nightmare. It's impossible to move on."

Adam was struck by a dark blue Volkswagen Bora, registration number MA52 XVV.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.