Stephen Walsh has been killed after a traffic collision. Photos / @Nottspolice
Stephen Walsh has been killed after a traffic collision. Photos / @Nottspolice
Police have launched a murder investigation after a motorist was battered to death on his doorstep in a suspected road rage attack.
Stephen Walsh, 37, was assaulted at his British home after being involved in a minor road collision, in which he failed to stop at the scene of anaccident.
Detectives believe Walsh's Lexus car was involved in a collision with another vehicle in Nottingham.
But rather than stop, he returned to his home in Blenheim Avenue, less than a 1.5km away.
It is thought his attacker may have followed him home before confronting him about the accident.
Detectives released a picture of a van they want to trace in connection with the investigation into Walsh's murder. Nottinghamshire Police said the silver Vauxhall Astra van may have been involved in a collision with Walsh's car before he was attacked.
During the alleged altercation, Walsh was attacked by the other motorist, who angrily told him he would return the following day to exchange insurance details.
But Walsh, who was a father, was found dead early the following morning having suffered head injuries.
Nottinghamshire Police appealed for the suspect to come forward saying they did not believe he meant to kill Walsh.
Detective Chief Inspector Hayley Williams said it appeared the assault had been a "spontaneous incident" following the crash on the leafy residential street.
Neighbours of Walsh expressed their shock at the incident and said he had only been living in the house for a matter of weeks, having moved in with his partner and children.
One said: "I shook his hand and welcomed him to the area and he seemed like a really nice bloke.
"Its so tragic that this has happened and really shocking for this to happen around here.
The van police are looking for.
"Most people are working professionals and we never get any trouble here. The first I knew about it was when the police came knocking asking if I'd seen anything.
"Your heart goes out to the lady and their two kids. They have moved here for a new start and it ends like this."
Another neighbour, who also wished to remain anonymous, added: "We hadn't got to know them properly because they hadn't been here long enough.
"But they seemed like a nice, normal family and very happy about their new home.
"You hear of road rage incidents all the time but it just goes to show that once you resort to violence, anything can happen."
