The devastated wife of a man who died a month after a Mini Cooper he was a passenger in flipped over has paid tribute to her "soul mate".
Kevin Viles, 41, from Runcorn was critically injured after a silver Mini Cooper in which he was a passenger crashed on the A533 Southern Expressway just before 6pm on Monday, October 17. The car came off the road and overturned onto a grass embankment.
The driver of the car fled the scene, leaving Kevin inside until the emergency services arrived. The 41-year-old was rushed to Aintree University Hospital shortly after the crash and died on Friday, November 18.
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A 29-year-old man from Widnes was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and has since been released under investigation.
Following his death, Kevin’s wife Emma paid tribute to her "big friendly giant" who she described as her "soul mate".
She said: “Kev was not only my husband, but my best friend, my soul mate and a shoulder to cry on when I needed it. He fought so very hard to heal and recover from his injuries, to be back with me and our four amazing children Nathan, Jessica, Amber and Kaylee, and his grandson Kairo.
"Sadly, Kev lost the battle and peacefully drifted away on November 18, with me right by his side. Life is never going to be the same for any of us without him, he was our big friendly giant who would do absolutely anything for anyone and always put people before himself.
“Our kids meant the absolute world to him, and he would always go above and beyond to ensure they were number one of his priorities. Although you sleep in heaven now Kev, you’re not really that far away my heart is full of memories and you’re with me every day.
"You lived your life with meaning and with a smile upon your silly face. A world that was full of happiness is now an empty place for me.
"People say that only time will a heal a broken heart but just like me and you it has been torn apart. I know you’re at peace now and in a place where you are free.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the crash, in particular for anyone who saw the Mini driving from Widnes Town centre across the Mersey Gateway Bridge and onto the Southern Expressway on the night of the incident.
Police Constable Liz Thompson, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, added: “Following Kevin’s death I would urge people to examine their conscience and think back to the day of the incident. This isn’t just a serious collision anymore, a man has lost his life, a woman has lost her husband, four children have lost their dad and a one-year-old baby has lost his grandad.
"If you have any information in relation to this collision – no matter how small – please come forward so we can get justice for Kevin’s family.
"We want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and believes they may have witnessed the collision or saw the silver Mini Cooper travelling from Widnes Town centre across the Mersey Gateway Bridge onto the Southern Expressway on the night of the incident.
“We also want to hear from anyone with any CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident.
“I urge anyone with any information to call us on 101 quoting IML 1391017, or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/about-us/about-us/provide-more-information-about-an-appeal/.”
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