A murder investigation has been launched after a 31-year-old man was killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Gateshead.
Paul Dean Sammons, who lived in Teams, was knocked down on Wednesday morning outside Malla’s Sizzling Snacks on Dunston Enterprise Park.
It was reported that a Renault Megane had knocked down the 31-year-old but failed to stop.
A 36-year-old man, one of seven people arrested in the wake of the incident, is being held on suspicion of murder.
Six men and one woman were detained following the incident, which unfolded at around 8.15am.
Detective inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police, said: “We have been carrying out enquiries into the circumstances around this collision throughout the day.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses and we believe that the vehicle was driven at Paul intentionally and so we are treating his death as murder.
“A number of people remain in police custody at this time and there has been significant police activity in the area around the enterprise park throughout the day.
“Those enquiries will continue as we try to build up a picture of what led up to the collision that took place this morning.
“Specialist officers are supporting Paul’s family at this time and we would ask the public to respect their privacy.
“Anyone who saw what happened this morning, or who has information that could assist police, is asked to contact officers immediately.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers online at the Northumbria Polic e website quoting reference number 179 160920.
You can also call 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
