POLICE were chasing two cars prior to a hit and run in which an elderly pedestrian was killed.

Sussex Police were following two separate vehicles shortly before the crash in which 78-year-old Jonos Sasvari was knocked down at Brighton’s Old Steine, on January 10, The Argus can now reveal.

Two men have been charged in connection with the incident and Sussex Police’s interactions with the men prior to the crash are being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

But for the forst time the force has disclosed that they they were chasing two vehicles shortly before the tragedy.

Unemployed Gavin Dawes, 33, of Phoenix Rise, Brighton, has already appeared in court charged with Mr Sasvari’s death by dangerous driving and two further counts of dangerous driving.

Richard Woolgar, 35, of Donald Hall Road, Brighton, has been charged with dangerous driving after officers saw a Vauxhall Zafira he was believed to have been driving in the Lewes Road area prior to the accident at the Old Steine.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “Police initially saw two cars driving dangerously on Lewes Road, a Vauxhall Zafira and a Vauxhall Astra. The cars separated near to Brighton University and police followed the Vauxhall Astra.

“Dawes has been charged with driving the Vauxhall Astra involved in the collision and Woolgar the Vauxhall Zafira.”

A spokeswoman for the IPCC said the second car - which Woolgar is accused of driving - was not relevant to their enquiries. Their investigation revolves around police interactions with the car that struck Hungarian Mr Sasvari as he crossed the road near the St James’s Street junction just before 10pm.

Mr Sasvari’s friends and former employers told The Argus he was “such a nice man” and “totally trustworthy” as tributes were paid following the tragedy.

They said he always had a warm greeting for his friends in the betting shops he frequented in St James’s Street.

Mr Sasvari came to England in 1958 as an 18-year-old.

In the 1970s he worked at Churchill Steakhouse in Preston Street and later as a porter at The Atlantic Hotel on the seafront and as a kitchen porter in Mermaids chip shop in Western Road.

Woolgar was bailed to appear at at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on April 13, charged with dangerous driving, no insurance and no licence. Dawes was remanded in custody to appear at Lewes Crown Court on April 7.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact the IPCC on 0800 151 0020 or email oldsteinertc@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk