A DETECTIVE investigating a suspicious death of a young dad who was hit by a car following a street fight told an inquest how the driver said he couldn’t avoid hitting him. Jamie O’Sullivan was killed just half-a-mile from his home by a BMW at Old Street in Shoreditch at 4.27am on Sunday while involved in a chase

By Else Kvist

A DETECTIVE investigating a suspicious death of a young dad who was hit by a car following a street fight told an inquest today (Wednesday) how the driver said he couldn’t avoid hitting him.

Jamie O’Sullivan was killed just half-a-mile from his home in East London by a BMW at Old Street in Shoreditch at 4.27am on Sunday while involved in a chase.

Police believe he may have been in a fight shortly before and was then struck running across Old Street. Scotland Yard is treating his death as suspicious.

“It is not yet clear whether he was being chased or was chasing someone,” Det Ins Andy Kelly told the inquest at Poplar coroner’s court this-morning.

“A group of men ran across Old Street. One had a bleeding nose, according to an eye witness.

“That’s when Jamie was struck by the BMW. He was pinged over the car.”

The detective added: “The driver said two people ran in front on him. The first avoided being hit by holding onto the bonnet, but he could not avoid the second person, who was Jamie.”

Mr O’Sullivan, a 25-year-old father from Bethnal Green, died from head injuries at the scene.

He had been out with his family at the Acquarium Bar when he got separated from his family, then appeared to have been involved in a dispute.

Coroner Sean McGovern asked Det Ins Kelly to keep him informed if it was likely to turn into a murder investigation. He adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed.

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Four men in their 20s and 30s have been charged in connection with Sunday’s incident, Scotland Yard confirmed yesterday. One was arrested on suspicion of assault on the BMW driver and the others in connection with the original incident involving Jamie. All are bailed to return to police in five weeks.

Police are appealing for witnesses in Old Street, at the junction with Singer Street, around 4.30am the day after Boxing Day, or anyone with information to call the incident room on 020-8345 1570, or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous on 0800-555111.