Hunt for footballer after fatal hit-and-run crash

A FRESH scandal gripped British soccer last night as police hunted a footballer suspected of fleeing a fatal hit-and-run road accident.

West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes darted from a crashed Mercedes after a crash in Coventry city centre in which a man, in his 60s, died.

In recent months, suspected and appalling off-the-field behaviour has led to a number of highly paid English club stars hitting the front page headlines.

Four men, including two Premiership players, were arrested in October in connection with the suspected “group rape” of a 17-year-old girl in the Grosvenor House Hotel scandal in London.

Last week, Leeds United star Jody Morris was suspended by the club after he appeared in court on a rape charge.

Morris, 24, a former Chelsea player, and a second man faced charges after a 20-year-old woman claimed she was attacked in a lay-by on the A58 in West Yorkshire.

Arising out of the same alleged incident, an on-loan Arsenal player with Leeds, 20-year-old Jermain Pennant, was also questioned by police, but released on bail without charge.

Meanwhile, West Midlands police last night appealed to West Brom player Hughes to contact his nearest police station.

The 27-year-old and another man, among five people in the car, fled the fatal accident scene.

A police spokeswoman said officers searching for Hughes had visited his home and his soccer club along with contacting friends, but had failed to track him down.

“Inquiries are continuing, and we are keen to speak to the driver as soon as possible,” police said.

A silver Mercedes CL55 Coupe, driven by Hughes, was in a collision with a Renault Megane.

A Coventry man, a rear-seat passenger in the Megane, died from his injuries. The victim’s wife, who was also a passenger, was continuing to receive treatment last night at Coventry and Warwickshire hospital for a broken leg.

The police spokeswoman said: “The male driver suffered a broken pelvis, and another male passenger also suffered bruising.”

She said there were five men in the Mercedes, which was involved in the accident just after midnight.

“The male driver of the Mercedes left the scene with one of the passengers, while three other passengers remained at the scene,” said the spokeswoman.