An elderly grandfather who went for a late-night run while visiting family in Australia was left for dead after a driver hit him and failed to stop in a suspected hit-and-run.
The manhunt continues for the driver of a purple coupe who struck Nepalese national Damodor Shrestha, 79, on Abell Road in Melonba, near Blacktown, in Sydney’s west, shortly after 11.15pm on Sunday.
The grandfather, who was allegedly hit from behind, went unnoticed by several vehicles passing by later.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 11.45pm after two passing motorists noticed the injured grandfather lying on the side of the road and called triple 000.
But by then, it was too late to save Mr. Shrestha.
Hours earlier, she attended a dinner to celebrate her daughter’s 25th wedding anniversary.
Sagun Shrestha later broke her silence on the tragedy, describing her father’s death as “absolutely devastating.”
“He was a loving father, husband and a source of inspiration to his grandchildren,” she said. nine news.
Damodor Shrestha, 79 (pictured), died in a suspected hit-and-run on Sunday night.
Police have released images of the purple coupe (pictured) that allegedly hit the grandfather and failed to stop.
“He always took care of us.”
Shrestha also urged the driver to surrender.
New South Wales Police launched a public appeal on Monday and released footage of the hit in the hope that witnesses will come forward.
Detective Inspector Michael Walsh described the alleged hit-and-run as a “cruel act”.
“(The vehicle) probably has damage to the front end, particularly to the headlights and windshield,” he said.
The section of the street where Mr. Shrestha died has no sidewalk, forcing residents to walk on the street.
“I fear for my life walking down this street. It’s scary between trucks and cars, and it’s dangerous to make a detour between parked cars. I’m scared,” said resident Lisa Sampson.
Passing motorists (caught on CCTV providing assistance) eventually noticed the grandfather lying on the side of the road and called the emergency services.
Another neighbor, Srikanth, said locals always feared that “something bad was going to happen” due to the lack of footpaths.
Karan Nagir blamed the lack of infrastructure and roads in the area where new homes are being built.
Blacktown City Council announced on Monday that construction of a footpath will still begin on Abell Road, the street where Shrestha died.
Anyone with information about the alleged hit-and-run is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.