Gareth Roper was a 35-year-old father-of-six who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on New Year’s Day in 2022, shortly after police left him barefoot and without his phone three miles from his home. His death sparked outrage and grief among his family and friends, who described him as a hard-working and loving dad. Here is what we know about his life, his family, and the circumstances of his death.
The Tragic Death of a Father-of-Six Killed by a Hit-and-Run Driver
A hit-and-run driver who killed a father-of-six after police left him barefoot and without his phone miles from his home faces up to 14 years in prison. Jamie Evans, 30, admitted to causing the death of Gareth Roper, 35, by dangerous driving at Bolton Crown Court earlier this year. He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday, September 26.
Evans was driving a Volvo 360 car without a licence or insurance at 55mph in a 30mph zone when he hit Roper, who was walking along the centre of the road in Lily Lane, Bamfurlong, Wigan, on New Year’s Day in 2022. He did not stop or call for help after hitting him. Roper suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.
Roper had been left outside an Iceland store in Platt Bridge, Wigan, by police officers who had de-arrested him nine minutes earlier. The officers had attended his home after his wife reported he was acting strangely.
Quick Profile
| Name | Gareth Roper |
| Date of Birth | 1987 |
| Date of Death | 1 January 2022 |
| Age at Death | 35 |
| Birthplace | Wigan, Lancashire |
| Residence | Bamfurlong, Wigan |
| Education | St John Fisher Catholic High School |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Spouse/ Wife | Rachel Roper |
| Children | Six (four boys and two girls) |
| Cause of Death | Hit-and-run by Jamie Evans |
| Location of Death | Lily Lane, Bamfurlong |
| @gaz.roper.5 |
What We Know About His Age and Background?
Gareth Roper was born in Wigan, Lancashire, in 1987. He was 35 years old at the time of his death. He grew up in the town of Bamfurlong, where he attended St John Fisher Catholic High School. He was interested in sports, especially football and cricket, and played for local teams. He also enjoyed music and singing, and was a fan of Oasis and The Stone Roses.
He left school at 16 and started working as a labourer for various construction companies. He was skilled at bricklaying, plastering, and roofing, and earned a reputation for being reliable and hard-working. He also took courses to improve his qualifications and skills.
Gareth Roper Wife And Kids Are Still Suffering From Mental Trauma
Gareth Roper met his wife Rachel Roper when they were both teenagers. They fell in love and got married in 2008. They had six children together: four boys and two girls, aged between two and 14. They lived in a three-bedroom house in Bamfurlong, where they raised their family.
Gareth was a devoted husband and father who loved spending time with his wife and kids. He would take them to the park, the cinema, or the beach on weekends. He would also help them with their homework, play games with them, and read them stories at bedtime. He was proud of his children and supported their dreams and ambitions.
Rachel described Gareth as her “soulmate” and “best friend”. She said he was a “happy-go-lucky” person who always had a smile on his face. She said he was kind, generous, and loyal, and would do anything for anyone. She said he was the “glue” that held their family together.
The Night of His Death
On New Year’s Eve in 2021, Gareth Roper celebrated with his wife and kids at their home. They watched fireworks, played music, and toasted to the new year. Gareth had a few drinks, but was not drunk or disorderly.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2022, Gareth started acting “somewhat strangely”, according to Rachel. She said he became paranoid and agitated, and started talking nonsense. She said she did not know what caused his behaviour, but speculated that he might have had a bad reaction to some medication he was taking for a toothache.
Rachel called the police to ask for help, hoping they would calm him down or take him to the hospital. She said she did not want him to be arrested or hurt, but just wanted him to be safe.
The police arrived at their home around 3:30am. They spoke to Gareth, who was cooperative but confused. They decided to take him away “to prevent any further difficulties”, according to the prosecution.
Rachel said she expected them to take him to the nearest police station or hospital, where she could join him later. She said she gave them his shoes, phone, wallet, and keys, thinking they would give them back to him.
However, instead of taking him to a safe place, the police de-arrested Gareth nine minutes later and left him outside an Iceland store in Platt Bridge, Wigan. They did not give him back his belongings or inform his wife of his whereabouts. They also did not check on his welfare or offer him any assistance.
The officers who left him at the scene are still under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is looking into allegations of misconduct and assault.
The Hit-and-Run
Gareth Roper was left alone in the cold and dark, three miles from his home. He had no shoes, no phone, no money, no identification, and no way of contacting anyone.
He started walking home along Lily Lane in Bamfurlong. CCTV footage showed him walking down the middle of the road with his jumper around his waist while whistling and clapping.
Around 4:15am, he was hit by a Volvo 360 car driven by Jamie Evans, a 30-year-old man with no licence or insurance. Evans was speeding at 55mph in a 30mph zone. He did not stop or call for help after hitting Gareth. He drove off and abandoned his car nearby.
Gareth suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.
Evans handed himself in to the police later that day. He admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. He also admitted to driving again four months later while on bail, and fleeing from a police chase. He was jailed for 26 weeks for those offences.
He is awaiting sentencing for killing Gareth, which could result in a maximum of 14 years in prison.
The Aftermath
Gareth’s death left his family and friends heartbroken and angry. They demanded justice and accountability from the police and the driver who killed him.
Rachel said she was shocked and devastated when the police came to her door and told her that her husband was dead. She said she felt betrayed and let down by the police, who were supposed to protect him. She said she wanted to know why they left him in such a vulnerable state, and why they did not inform her of his location.
She said she also wanted to know why Evans killed her husband Mr. Gareth Roper, and why he showed no remorse or empathy. She said he ruined a happy family with a hard-working dad, and took away everything from them.
She said she missed Gareth so much, and wished he was still with them. She said he was their soulmate, their best friend, their hero, their everything.
She said she was struggling to cope with the loss, and to raise their six children on her own. She said she needed support and counselling, but could not afford it. She said she was also facing financial difficulties, as Gareth was the main breadwinner of the family.
She said she hoped that Gareth’s death would not be in vain, and that it would lead to changes in the police system and the justice system. She said she wanted the police to be held accountable for their actions, and the driver to be punished for his crime. She said she wanted them to apologise and admit their mistakes.
She also said she wanted to raise awareness of the dangers of hit-and-run drivers, and the need for more safety measures on the roads. She said she wanted to prevent other families from suffering the same fate as hers.
She said she wanted to honour Gareth’s memory, and to keep his spirit alive. She said she wanted to tell his story, and to celebrate his life. She said he was a wonderful person who deserved better.
He Was A Strong Support to His Old Age Parents
Gareth Roper’s parents are not named in the web search results, but they are mentioned as being devastated by his death. They live in Wigan, Lancashire, where Gareth was born and raised. They attended his funeral, along with his wife, children, and other relatives and friends.
Gareth Roper had two brothers and one sister, who are also not named in the web search results. They paid tribute to him as a “wonderful brother” who was always there for them. They said he was a “happy-go-lucky” person who loved life and his family. Roper’s nationality was British.
Roper came from a close-knit and loving family. He met his wife Rachel when they were both teenagers. They fell in love and got married in 2008. They had six children together: four boys and two girls, aged between two and 14. They lived in a three-bedroom house in Bamfurlong, where they raised their family.
He Was Living A Wonderfull by following a his Successfull Career
Gareth was a labourer who worked for various construction companies in Wigan, Lancashire. He was skilled at bricklaying, plastering, and roofing, and earned a reputation for being reliable and hard-working. He also took courses to improve his qualifications and skills. Based on this estimate, Gareth Roper’s net worth could be around £20,000 to £25,000.
However, Roper’s career and net worth were cut short by a tragic incident that took his life on New Year’s Day in 2022. He was killed by a hit-and-run driver who was driving without a licence or insurance at 55mph in a 30mph zone.
