Tributes have been paid to 48-year-old Jason ‘Jay’ Nicholls, who died after being run over by a car in Sandown on New Year’s Eve.
Police were called at 17:17 on Tuesday 31st December to a report of a collision on the roundabout junction of Avenue Road, High Street and Culver Parade, involving a grey Nissan Qashqai and a pedestrian.
The pedestrian, 48-year-old Jason Nicholls from Sandown, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Southampton General Hospital, where he later passed away, as previously reported by Island Echo.
His family are being supported by specialist officers and have now paid the following tribute:
“Jason John Nicholls, known to everyone as Jay, was our own personal ocean of wonders and experiences.
“There is no one else quite like him and his death this month is a heartbreaking loss to us all.
“Jay was embraced within lots of communities here on the island with his surf crews and his support network of friends and acquaintances – made wherever he trod.
“Jay’s children, aged 18 and 22, are his proudest achievement. They and the rest of Jay’s family please ask you to respect what would be his greatest wishes; Refrain from hurting us or others with social media comments and please keep our beaches clean.”
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A 73-year-old man from Brading was arrested at the time of the incident on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was subsequently released, but remains under investigation. He has not been further arrested for an offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary says that its investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage is asked to contact the force by calling 101, quoting 44240566663.
Very sad news.
So sad. I had the pleasure of meeting Jay on a few occasions when he lived in Shanklin. He invited me into his place for drinks and a chat. Jay was a lovely character. The type of person who would do anything for anyone. A tragic end to a man who done his best in life, despite life’s struggles. He was a one of a kind and a decent, kind man. Take care bud, wherever you are.