THE widow of a Hampshire council worker killed in a horror smash has urged the lorry driver who caused the accident to give himself up.

Megan Murray has made a direct appeal to Andrew Ellis, who has been on the run since pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Ellis, 36, was due to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court last week, but failed to turn up.

As reported in the Daily Echo, he has not even contacted his own solicitor since July 15, the day he admitted killing 66-year-old Bob Murray in an accident on the A35 at Ashurst last October.

Now Mrs Murray and her three children say they want to see justice done.

Mrs Murray said: "At the moment it feels like we're on an emotional rollercoaster. We were hoping we would be able to put some form of closure to things last Thursday, but with Andrew Ellis's disappearance we have been unable to do that.

"When I heard he had disappeared it was like a bad dream, like being back last October when we were told Bob had died. It was a real kick in the teeth.

"We've always said that we don't bear any malice to Andrew Ellis but we would urge him to give himself up, not just for us, not just for his mum, but also for himself so that he can live with his conscience.

"Since Bob's death, myself, our three children and our daughter-in-law have been able to keep going because of our faith in God, and it's because of this that I have been able to forgive Andrew Ellis.

"But there are consequences for every action and, although I have forgiven him, he has to bear the consequences of what he has done.

"While nothing will bring Bob back we just want to get to that point where we can start rebuilding our lives. Seeing justice done is the only way we're going to be able to do that."

Mrs Murray described the heartache of losing her husband and the impact his death has had on their three children, Dan, 29, John, 22, and Lou 26.

Mr Murray, a retiredfirefighter who worked for New Forest District Council, died when his stationary vehicle was struck from behind by a vegetable delivery lorry driven by Ellis, 36, of Ensbury Park, Bournemouth.

A fellow council worker, who was standing beside the vehicle, suffered serious injuries.

Mrs Murray added: "This has been a very difficult time for the whole family and we need to be able to move forward from here, but can't do that until Andrew Ellis has been sentenced.

"I want him to face up to his responsibilities and take the consequences of his actions. I wish he would give himself up."

Mr Ellis's mother, Pauline, 62, of Bournemouth, has also urged her son to get in touch, as reported in the Daily Echo.

She spoke of her fears that he was contemplating suicide.