A family of a mum who died in a hit-and-run in Tenerife are furious after investigators decided to close the case.
Michelle Exton, 50, was on holiday when she and her mum, Ann, were hit by a white van which mounted the pavement.
Michelle suffered catastrophic head injuries and was rushed to hospital where she sadly died four days later.
Ann, 75, suffered serious rib injuries in the crash.
Michelle and Ann were on a road near the resort of Golf del Sur when the crash happened in at about 8.30pm on December 11, 2022.
The driver reportedly got out of the van and saw them on the ground before driving off.
Spanish police launched a manhunt to find the van driver, but just three weeks after the crash a judge closed the case, DerbyshireLive.
The driver is described as a white man, approximately 5ft 8ins tall with a bald or closely shaven head. The passenger side wing mirror of the white van fell off in the collision and was left behind at the scene.
The family have been told that the police believe that the van could have been a Renault Traffic, a Nissan Primastar or a Vauxhall Vivaro.
They are appealing for any witnesses, including British tourists who were on holiday at the time, to come forward with information about the driver and collision.
Daughters Sophia, 23, and Jess, 14, have since hired lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate, who have now filed court documents in Spain asking that a judge reopen the case.
Michelle's daughter, Sophia said: “Mum was the best mum me and Jessica could ever wish for. She was kind, loving and caring. While she was our Mum she was also our best friend.
“The last couple of months have been such a mix of emotions. Hurt, pain, grief, anger. The decision to close the investigation has just added to the stress of everything.
“We’d do anything to have Mum back in our lives but we know that’s not possible. Our focus now is on at least trying to honour her memory by getting the justice for Mum that she deserves.
“We want the authorities to leave no stone unturned in trying to trace the driver. We’d be so grateful to anyone who came forward with information about the driver or the van. Lots of British people go to Tenerife on holiday, or have family that live there, so hopefully, someone might have seen the van or the driver and come forward.
“However, we also appeal to the driver to find their conscience and come forward. This wasn’t a minor incident. My Mum, who had so much to live for, was killed and a family ripped apart forever by his actions.”
Speaking to Derbyshire Live, in the weeks following her mum's passing, Sophia said: "She was my best friend, we would do stuff which normally people would say 'why are you doing that with your mum?' I went backpacking in Thailand and mum came for three weeks, didn't complain once and threw herself into everything. I am thankful we had her as a role model. She was a beautiful person inside and out."
Anyone with information about the collision or the van or driver, is asked to contact James Riley at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 203 5361 or email james.riley@irwinmitchell.com
