Family of Portland hit and run victim £2,000 in debt after funeral (From Dorset Echo)

Family of Portland hit and run victim £2,000 in debt after funeral

7:30am Monday 23rd November 2009

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THE former partner and family of hit-and-run victim Andy Mundy have been left more than £2,000 in debt from his death.

Despite finally being able to bury Mr Mundy last month Claire Chapman said their loss is still ‘an open wound’ with the driver still walking free.

Jasmine Mundy, 19, Luke Mundy, 20, and Ashley Sawtell, 23, had to wait almost two months for the funeral as no one admitted to running their dad over on Verne Hill Road on the night of August 8.

To add to their grief the family has been left £2,000 in debt by the funeral.

They have been told by their solicitors they have only two and-a-half months left to claim against the driver’s insurance.

Mrs Chapman said: “I’m not usually one for praying. But I don’t want my children to go the rest of their days wondering who killed their father.

“I want them to know the law has done its job and the person has had his punishment.

“They’ve still lost their dad but I don’t want them to go their whole lives without knowing.”

Mrs Chapman, 40, of Dorchester Road, Weymouth, said solicitors have told her the family only has six months left to claim compensation towards funeral costs.

More than three months have now passed since Mr Mundy, 44, of Fortuneswell, died after being hit by a car while he walked up Verne Hill Road.

Mrs Chapman said: “As no one has been charged we can’t start proceedings, so if the police don’t charge anyone in the next couple of months that’s the chances of compensation down the drain really. It’s not that the kids want some money but it’s the fact that we’ve got the funeral to pay for.

“The state could pay but we’ve not had confirmation.”

Mrs Chapman said she will not let her children pick up the bill.

“On top of everything this driver’s done he’s saddled us with £2,000-worth of debt,” she added.

Mrs Chapman is proud of how her children have faced the wait and trying to cope with the loss of their dad.

She said: “Jasmine’s studies at college have been affected.

“She tries very hard but she was looking forward to her summer holidays this year and this happened right at the beginning.

“She’s not had any chance to let her hair down and has not had any holiday.

“She’s had work placements over on Portland and because of her emotions she could not handle going across the causeway.

“Luke has only now just been able to return home to his flat in Hereford Road.”

She added: “We can’t come to terms with it because it’s not wrapped up and dealt with.

“It’s difficult as it’s still an open wound and you know you’ll have to come back to it.”

An 18-year-old from Portland is on police bail in connection with the hit and run.

A black BMW seized by police is still being held.

A police spokesman said that there have been no new arrests and that a man remains on police bail.

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