Inquest opens into death of Sunderland man killed after being hit by car

Stephen John Wheeler, 45, was struck on Tunstall Hope Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Officers from Northumbria Police said they were alerted to the incident just after 1am.

Medics attended, but Mr Wheeler, whose address was Crosslea Avenue, in the Tunstall area, was confirmed dead at the scene.

At Sunderland Coroner’s Court, city assistant coroner Clare Davies opened an inquest into Mr Wheeler’s death.

Coroner’s officer Vicky Ross told the short hearing at Sunderland Civic Centre: “In the very early hours of the day of September 10, I understand that Mr Wheeler was involved in a fatal road collision where he was hit by a car in Tunstall Hope Road in Sunderland.”

Ms Davies said: “I’m satisfied that an inquest into Mr Wheeler’s death should take place and I will fix a date for the hearing on Tuesday, November 28.”

Residents spoke of their shock at the incident which led to Mr Wheeler’s death.

Michelle Boyes, who lives close to Venerable Bede School which is near where Mr Wheeler was killed, said: “I got up to go to the bathroom in the early hours and saw blue flashing lights go past the window.

“It is a shock. I’m sad to hear that.

“It is usually very quiet on a night.

“It is a busy road but on the night it is quiet.”

Jack Smith, 63, of The Maltings, said: “It is a very fast road.

“Cars come round at a ridiculous speed.

“The junctions are not the best but that is mainly because of school activity.”

A 35-year-old mum-of-two, who did not want to be named, said: “Cars come hurtling round.

“I don’t know if it is something to do with the road surface because it is slippy.

“It is bad enough in cars, never mind on foot.

“I think people try to cut through from the town up to here otherwise you have got to walk all the way around.”