A man has been charged over the death of a “much-loved” football fan mowed down by a car outside a court in north west London.
Father-of-three Ruben Nunes, 34, from Peterborough, sustained serious injuries in a multi-vehicle collision involving pedestrians yards from Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Nunes, who himself played for Hertfordshire-based Sarratt FC, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of London Ambulance Service crews.
Shakaine Dwyer, 29, of Balnacraig Avenue, Willesden, will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday accused of causing death by dangerous driving.
In a tribute released on Friday, Mr Nunes’s family said: “Ruben was a family man - a son, a brother, an uncle, a father and a partner.
“He was true to his friends and cherished the people around him. He loved football and was a big Liverpool fan.
“Ruben had a light within him - he brightened the lives of everyone he touched. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and he will always be remembered as a truly blessed soul.”
Sarratt FC reserves manager Russ Fardon said Mr Nunes was “an unbelievable person, partner, brother, friend and father who I’ve loved spending time with since he joined the club”.
He added: “Ruben will be sorely missed.”
Detectives continue to appeal for witnesses over Mr Nunes’s killing in Chapel Close at 12.44pm.
In one video posted on social media, a smashed-up car could be seen surrounded by Metropolitan Police officers, paramedics and firefighters behind tape.
Eyewitnesses expressed their shock at the death, with one man saying: “Oh my days, bruv. Right by the court.”
Joe McPherson, 47, who was working nearby at the time of the crash, told Metro: “There was a bang, really loud, and the scraping of metal. It sounded like a nasty accident.
We are sadly grieving the loss of Ruben Vieira Nunes, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 34.
— Sarratt FC (@sarrattfc) December 5, 2025
Ruben debuted for Sarratt in March 2023, making 59 appearances for our Reserves and finding the back of the net 12 times in yellow and black.
(1/5) pic.twitter.com/wUW7xonNaf
“There were quite a few people around because of the time of day and they scattered. Then the police came, loads of them, and I saw cars smashed into each other – it was proper carnage.”
A security guard at a local business said he grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran towards the smoking Mercedes after the impact as two suspects ran from the vehicle.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, said: ““Our thoughts are with Ruben’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“If you live nearby, you can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while officers carry out their investigation. This will include an increase of officers on patrol – please do speak to them if you have any worries or concerns.
“You can also speak directly to local ward officers.
“If you know what happened, or have dashcam or mobile phone footage of the incident, it is important that you please come forward and contact us.”
