A fundraising page has been sent up to pay for the repatriation of an Ecuadorian man who was killed after being hit by a car in Willesden Green.

Ronald Cardenas, 32, died at the scene and a woman in her 20s has been left fighting for her life after they were struck by a Mercedes C Class car on Willesden Lane at the junction with Walm Lane.

Mr Cardenas, a web designer, had moved to the UK for a ‘better life’ four years ago before he was killed on December 17.

So far the crowdfunding campaign has raised $7,275 of the $10k needed to fly Mr Cardenas’ body back to his homeland.

Mr Cardenas’s cousin Stephanie Burgos, who set up the page from her home in New Jersey in the US, said she and her mother were due to visit the UK in May to see him. She said: “Ronald always liked to travel. When he was 17 years old he decided to go to Los Angeles where he lived for nine years before returning to Ecuador.

“He lived in London for almost four years, had started a new job in October and he was really happy and really passionate about his career.

“He was also studying as he always tried to find better opportunities.”

She added: “Ronald was an only child.

“I grew up with him and our love was so deep it was more than cousins, we were like brother and sister.

“I think he took half of my heart in his departure. I hope he can rest in peace and I hope God gives peace to all my family.”

The 33-year-old male driver of the car that hit Mr Cardenas was taken to hospital suffering minor injuries before he was discharged.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink drinking and has been bailed to return to a police station in early March.

His male passenger who fled the scene after the crash has since been traced and has not been arrested.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses, or anyone with any information, to contact them on 020 8991 9555 or 101.

To donate visit gofundme.com/memorial-to-ronald