A BRITISH film director has been killed by a suspected drink driver in Los Angeles.
Jonathan Gales whose wife is expecting their second child, was reportedly hit by a car being driven the wrong way down a one-way street as he crossed the road.
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Another second man hit suffered severe but non-life-threatening injuries.
The 39-year-old motorist, who was arrested at the scene, reportedly tried to escape before crashing head-on into another vehicle.
Mr Gales – a Bafta-award-winning animation and visual effects director – was visiting a business partners in the Californian city after working in Tennessee on an advert for car manufacturer Kia when the accident happened on Friday.
According to local reports 39-year-old Joseph Hansen Madarang has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Police say he had been driving the wrong way on a one-way street when the crash occurred and Mr Gales was fatally struck.
An LAPD spokesman said: “One of the pedestrians, a 36-year-old man, died from his injuries; the other, a 32-year-old man, suffered severe injuries. Both were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision.
“After hitting the men, the driver continued crashing head-on with another vehicle. Local people detained him and one driver blocked the car belonging to the suspect who is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center on bail of $130,000.”
His father James said: “He has been an inspiration to all those who were fortunate enough to meet him whether in creation, sport, or leisure.
“He was a caring, thoughtful and loving husband and father, a bubbly personality with a fascination for world culture.
“He had many, many friends who, along with his close, and extended family, will sorely miss him.”
Mr Gales, 36, was born in Jersey and went to St Christopher’s School and Victoria College before studying architecture at the University of Brighton.
He leaves behind wife Claire Pepper and their one-year-old son – their second child is due in April next year.
The couple have lived in London where Mr Gales worked in the film industry and won a Bafta for his role in a trailer video for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Sarah Grealish
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