Dad-of-six Gareth Roper was taken away from his home after his wife reported him ‘acting somewhat strangely’ and shortly after, he tragically died after being hit by a speeding car
A woman has shared her heartbreak after police took her husband away from their home – and 45 minutes later, officers knocked on her door to deliver some tragic news.
Gareth Roper, 35, was taken away from his home after his wife reported him “acting somewhat strangely”, but nine minutes later he was reportedly de-arrested and left barefoot outside the Iceland store in Platt Bridge, Wigan, Greater Manchester, which is three miles from his home, without money or a mobile phone. Tragically, the dad-of-six was hit by a speeding car and suffered severe head injuries.
He died at the scene after being struck by a 2013 Volvo V60 at 55mpm on Lily Lane – a 30mph zone in Bamfurlong, Wigan – in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2022. Jamie Evans, who was behind the wheel, was seen 40 minutes earlier on CCTV opening a can of beer from a petrol station before swigging from a spirits bottle. After hitting Mr Roper, he drove off.
The 30-year-old, of no fixed address, who was driving on an expired provisional licence, was jailed for nine years at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday. He had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.