US playboy arrested over Britons' hit and run deaths

Ryan LeVin has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide

American playboy and heir to a jewellery fortune has been arrested over the deaths of two British tourists in a hit-and-run crash.

Kenneth Watkinson, 48, of Harbury, and Craig Elford, 39, of Ratley, Warwickshire, died in February 2009.

They were hit as they walked to their hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Ryan LeVin, 35, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and two of leaving the scene after the fatal collision.

A Porsche was found abandoned after police failed to stop the damaged car as it drove at speeds in excess of 100mph.

Sgt Frank Sousa, of City of Fort Lauderdale Police, said: "He [LeVin] is now in police custody. It's now a matter of waiting for a court date."

LeVin was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday.

Jonathan Pavsner, who represents Mr Watkinson's widow Kirsty, said: "The family are still devastated - the kids still miss their dad and Kirsty still misses her husband.

"But they are very pleased with the state of Florida for the fact that LeVin is going to have to face justice now."

Ryan LeVin is the son of Shirley and Arthur LeVin, founders of Jewels by Park Lane, a Chicago-based business which calls itself the "world's leading direct sales fashion jewellery company".

It is alleged a white Porsche GT2, owned by Mr LeVin, mounted the kerb and hit the two Britons before speeding off.

Each of the vehicular homicide charges carry a maximum 15 years in prison.

The families of the two victims are also suing Mr LeVin for compensation.

Mr Watkinson and Mr Elford ran a pharmaceutical business, Ingala Healthcare, and were in the US to recruit employees.