A CRIMINAL investigation into the death of a BAFTA-award-winning director from Jersey who was killed by a suspected drink-driver in America last year is ongoing.
Jonathan Gales died in Los Angeles in November after being hit by a car while he was crossing the road. He was taken to the California Hospital Medical Centre but died the following day.
An inquest into his death heard yesterday that the criminal investigation remained open.
According to the LA Times, 39-year-old Joseph Hansen Madarang was arrested after the crash on suspicion of driving under the influence. His bail was reportedly set at $130,000.
At yesterday’s inquest, Deputy Viscount Mark Harris, presiding, released Mr Gales’ body to allow for funeral arrangements to be made, and then adjourned the hearing.
Mr Gales attended St Christopher’s School and Victoria College between 1997 and 2004, leaving with A-Levels in art, photography, media studies, physics and psychology. He went on to study architecture at the University of Brighton, and later moved to London where he worked in film, winning a BAFTA for his role in a trailer video for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The animation and visual effects director – whose wife, Claire Pepper, is expecting their second child in April – had been visiting one of his business partners after working in Tennessee on an advert for car manufacturer Kia when he was killed.
