Gumball death

Two Britons arrested over Gumball Rally death in Macedonia
The Associated Press
Thursday, May 3, 2007

SKOPJE, Macedonia: Police have arrested two Britons competing in the Gumball Rally for their alleged involvement in an accident that killed an elderly driver and critically wounded his wife.

Police on Thursday identified the men as Nicholas Morley, 30, and Matthew McConvile, 32. They were driving a Porsche 911 in the Gumball 3000 rally — a 4,825-kilometer (3,000-mile) race across Europe.

They were arrested on provisional charges of endangering traffic and abandoning an accident victim, police spokesman Ivo Kotevski said. The offenses could lead to a one-year prison sentence if convicted.

More serious charges could be pressed later.

Kotevski said Morley had been taken into police custody for a maximum of 30 days after being questioned by a magistrate in the town of Struga, about 190 kilometers (120 miles) from Skopje. McConvile was released, but it was not immediately clear whether charges against him would be dropped.

Kotevski said the crash occurred near Struga on Wednesday, while the Britons were driving to neighboring Albania.

Vladimir Cepuljoski, 67, died of injuries while being transported to a hospital in Skopje. His wife, Margarita, remains in critical condition.

"Two British citizens left the scene of an accident. Shortly afterward, border authorities found them in another (car) ... at the Qafasan border crossing with Albania," Kotevski said.