Key Points
- A fatal collision occurred on Chapel Close, Willesden, at 12:44hrs on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, involving a car and pedestrians.
- Ruben Nunes, 34, from Peterborough, was pronounced dead at the scene despite treatment by the London Ambulance Service.
- His family described him as a devoted family man, son, brother, uncle, father, and partner who loved football and supported Liverpool.
- Shakaine Dwyer, 29, of Willesden (born 29 July 1996), was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, 4 December, and charged on Sunday, 7 December with causing death by dangerous driving.
- Dwyer is scheduled to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8 December 2025.
- A 32-year-old man was arrested on 4 December on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains on bail as enquiries continue.
- Police initially launched a murder investigation, later adjusting charges.
- Officers appeal for witnesses, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from before and after the incident via 101 or the MIPP portal.
- Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams noted increased police presence in the area for community reassurance.
- The incident happened near Willesden Magistrates’ Court, raising local concerns.
A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a 34-year-old pedestrian died in a collision in Willesden, north-west London, prompting a swift police investigation and community worries.
- Key Points
- What Happened in the Chapel Close Collision?
- Who Was Ruben Nunes and What Tributes Were Paid?
- Who Is Shakaine Dwyer and What Charges Does He Face?
- What Is the Timeline of the Police Investigation?
- Who Else Has Been Arrested in Connection?
- What Has Police Leadership Said About the Incident?
- Where Did the Crash Occur and What Is the Local Impact?
- What Are Police Appealing For?
- When and Where Will Shakaine Dwyer Appear in Court?
Police were called to Chapel Close, Willesden, at 12:44hrs on 3 December following reports of a car striking pedestrians. Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service, where a man in his 30s was treated but sadly died at the scene. He has been formally identified as Ruben Nunes, 34, from Peterborough, with his family informed and supported by specialist officers.
What Happened in the Chapel Close Collision?
The incident unfolded in broad daylight at the junction of Chapel Close and Chantry Crescent around 12:40pm-12:44pm on 3 December. As reported in the Metropolitan Police press release, police received calls about a collision between a car and pedestrians on Chapel Close, Willesden. Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service rushed to the scene, treating a man in his 30s who, despite their best efforts, was pronounced dead shortly after.
Emergency services pronounced Ruben Nunes dead at approximately 12:45pm. The Metropolitan Police news update confirmed officers attended with the London Ambulance Service, and a man in his 30s sadly died at the scene. He has since been named as Ruben Nunes, 34, from Peterborough.
Who Was Ruben Nunes and What Tributes Were Paid?
Ruben Nunes hailed from Peterborough and was remembered fondly by his loved ones. In a tribute quoted in the Metropolitan Police press release, his family said:
“Ruben was a family man – a son, a brother, an uncle, a father and a partner. He was true to his friends and cherished the people around him. He loved football and was a big Liverpool fan. Ruben had a light within him – he brightened the lives of everyone he touched. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and he will always be remembered as a truly blessed soul.”
Heartfelt tributes have circulated online, with Cambridgeshire Live noting on Facebook that Ruben Nunes, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene on Chapel Close, Willesden, London at about 12.45pm on December 3 after a car hit pedestrians. His family are receiving ongoing support from specialist officers, as stated across Metropolitan Police updates.
Who Is Shakaine Dwyer and What Charges Does He Face?
Shakaine Dwyer, 29, of Willesden, born 29.07.1996, became the focus of the investigation. The Metropolitan Police news article states: Shakaine Dwyer, 29 (29.07.1996) of Willesden was charged on Sunday, 7 December with causing death by dangerous driving. He will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8 December.
Earlier, as detailed in the Metropolitan Police press release, a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, 4 December and remained in custody. The charges have since been specified as causing death by dangerous driving, with The Sun reporting: Shakaine Dwyer, aged 29, faces charges of causing death through dangerous driving following the fatal incident involving Ruben Nunes, 34, last week.
Dwyer, a resident of Willesden, was on Sunday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and is scheduled to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ today, according to The Sun’s coverage.
What Is the Timeline of the Police Investigation?
The response was immediate and methodical. Police were called at 12.44hrs on Wednesday, 3 December, launching enquiries into the circumstances. On Thursday, 4 December, a man was arrested in connection with the incident, initially on suspicion of murder, as per the Metropolitan Police press release.
Detectives launched a murder investigation after Ruben Nunes was hit by a car in Chapel Close, Willesden. A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, 4 December. He remains in custody, the press release added.
By Sunday, 7 December, charges were filed. A police inquiry was initiated, and on Thursday, December 4, a man was arrested in connection with the incident, with the Metropolitan Police confirming the charge against Dwyer.
Who Else Has Been Arrested in Connection?
A second individual remains under scrutiny. The Metropolitan Police news states: A 32-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, 4 December on suspicion of assisting an offender. He remains on bail as enquiries continue.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 32-year-old man was detained the day after the incident on suspicion of aiding an offender. He remains on bail as the investigation continues, echoed in The Sun’s report.
What Has Police Leadership Said About the Incident?
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area, addressed the tragedy in the Metropolitan Police press release:
“This is a distressing incident and we understand the concern it will cause for the local community. Our thoughts are with Ruben’s family and friends at this difficult time. If you live nearby, you can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while officers carry out their investigation. This will include an increase of officers on patrol – please do speak to them if you have any worries or concerns. You can also speak directly to local ward officers by signing up to and using Met Engage. If you know what happened, or have dashcam or mobile phone footage of the incident, it is important that you please come forward and contact us.”
Officers worked quickly to meticulously piece together what happened that night, as noted in broader Metropolitan Police communications.
Where Did the Crash Occur and What Is the Local Impact?
The crash site lies near Willesden Magistrates’ Court in north-west London. Authorities received notifications of an accident between a vehicle and pedestrians outside the Willesden Magistrates’ Court around 12:44 PM, as covered by The Sun. The incident between a car and pedestrians happened at the junction of Chapel Close and Chantry Crescent at around 12.40pm yesterday (December 3), according to Yahoo News UK.
Residents can anticipate heightened patrols. You can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while officers carry out their investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stated.
What Are Police Appealing For?
Detectives continue to seek public help. As per the Metropolitan Police news: Detectives continue to appeal for witnesses and those with any information or dashcam or mobile phone footage of the incident, including the period before and after the collision. Contact police on 101 or use the MIPP portal:
Enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing. If you have any information that could help police, please contact 101 quoting CAD 3367/3Dec or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, the press release urged.
When and Where Will Shakaine Dwyer Appear in Court?
Shakaine Dwyer’s first court appearance is set. He will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8 December, confirmed across Metropolitan Police updates and The Sun.
The 29-year-old is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on December 8, aligning with the initial query details and official statements.
