The body of a man killed in an alleged hit and run incident in Carmarthenshire was discovered in the grounds of a churchyard after a missing person search was launched when his dog was seen wandering around on its own, an inquest heard. Aaron Jones, who was 38, died after being hit by a car while out walking his dog in his home village of Llanpumsaint on the evening of December 23, 2024.
An inquest into his death was opened by the assistant coroner for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Gareth Lewis, at County Hall in Haverfordwest on Tuesday morning. Present at the inquest was Malcolm Thompson, coroner’s officer for Carmarthenshire. He told the hearing that at around 7.20pm on December 23 Mr Jones was “out walking his dog in Llanpumsaint when he was struck by a vehicle near Caer Salem Chapel.” Mr Thompson added that the vehicle had failed to stop and that Mr Jones’s dog ran off from the crash scene before being “found wandering by a local man”, who then contacted Mr Jones’s wife.
It was at this point that a search for Mr Jones was launched. A short time later, the 38-year-old’s body was found in the grounds of the chapel. He was declared dead at the scene. Mr Thompson said that a full police investigation into the death is underway and continuing. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here.
In connection with the incident, a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for a collision, and failing to report a collision. He has since been released on bail with conditions, police have confirmed.
A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers are continuing to investigate the fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Llanpumsaint on Monday, December 23. One man, aged 27, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for a collision, and failing to report a collision. He has been released on bail with conditions while our serious collision investigation and CSI teams continue their investigation. The family of Aaron Jones, who died in the collision, continue to be supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”
On Christmas Eve, the day following the incident, a councillor local to the Llanpumsaint area said the village was “in mourning”. Councillor Bryan Jones said: “Aaron was exceptionally well respected in the village. He was involved heavily with the local park and was involved in many other local associations. He was popular and always had time for everybody. He was a hard working man who would help anyone. The whole community is in mourning.
“We are all grieving for the loss of Aaron. Llanpumsaint is a very close-knit community. It’s the type of community that will do anything to help the family at this tragic time. As a councillor I cannot put into words how I feel and how the community feels about what has happened. All our sympathies go to Aaron’s family and friends.”
Assistant coroner Mr Lewis formally opened the inquest into Mr Jones’s death at Tuesday morning’s hearing and adjourned proceedings until a later date so that police can conclude their investigation.