Man sadly dies on A19 following suspected hit and run near Sunderland

Northumbria Police are appealing for information following the incident which took place at around 8.20am this morning (December 3) on the A19 northbound near to the Hylton Grange Interchange.

Shortly after 8.20am today Northumbria Police received a report of a concern for the welfare of a man on the A19 northbound near to the Hylton Grange Interchange.

A spokesperson said: “Emergency services attended and a man aged in his 40s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“While enquiries are at an early stage, officers are treating the report as a suspected hit-and-run involving a vehicle where the driver has left the scene.

“The vehicle involved is believed to be a 2014 model or more recent Spirit Blue Ford Fiesta car.

“The A19 is currently closed in both directions between Testos roundabout and Hylton Grange Interchange and is expected to remain so for some time.”

Officers from Northumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit have launched a full investigation and are today appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They are particularly keen for any information on vehicles matching the description potentially showing damage, and to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage or CCTV of the moments leading up to the collision.

Sergeant Dave Roberts, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a tragic incident where a man has sadly died.

“We have launched a full investigation to determine the chain of events which led to his death.

“Our enquiries are at an early stage, but we are currently treating this as a suspected hit-and-run incident involving a blue Ford Fiesta car.

“We would ask people to remain vigilant and be mindful of any vehicles matching the description that might be recently damaged in their communities.

“We are also looking to speak to any witnesses who have travelled in the area overnight and have dashcam footage.

“We would also appeal directly to the driver of the vehicle to come forward.

“Any information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – could prove vital in helping us ascertain exactly what took place.”

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Northumbria Police via social media, or by visiting the live chat and report forms on their website.

Alternatively you can call 101 and quote reference number NP-20241203-0186.

This is the second incident today which has taken place on the A19 in Sunderland.

At 6.30am this morning (December 3) Northumbria Police were also called to an RTC close to the A1231 turn off which resulted in a person being taken to hospital.

National Highways North East have now confirmed the A19 has reopened in both directions.

A post on social media stated: “All closures have been removed and the A19 is open in both directions between the A1284 Testos Roundabout and the A1231 Sunderland. Thank you for your patience, safe travels this evening.”