- Lual Awan Lueth, 49, dies in an accident
- 43-year-old man arrested
- DO YOU KNOW MORE? Contact tita.smith@mailonline.com
A man who was killed by a suspected disqualified driver fleeing police has been remembered as a hero of the Sudanese civil war.
Lual Awan Lueth, 49, was heading to work about 4am on Tuesday when his Toyota Corolla was hit by a Holden sedan on the Great Western Highway in St Marys, western Sydney.
He died at the scene of the accident, while the 43-year-old driver of the sedan reportedly fled the scene on foot.
The driver of the sedan was arrested a short time later in a nearby backyard, where he was allegedly trying to steal clothes from a clothesline.
The 43-year-old man, who police said was disqualified from driving and was known to police, was taken to Nepean Hospital under police guard for treatment.
Gabriel Thon Deng, president of the Nyarweng Community of Australia, said Mr Lueth’s death was a “painful blow” to the local Sudanese community.
Lueth was a member of the Nyarweng ethnic group in southern Sudan’s Jonglei state, which was torn apart by the Sudanese civil war that began in 1983 and lasted 22 years.
The war left the majority of people in the area, which has a population of almost 1.2 million, hungry and without access to clean water, healthcare or education.
“There are no words to adequately express the shock and pain felt by all who knew him,” Mr Deng said.
Lual Awan Lueth, 49 (pictured), died in a crash in St Marys on Tuesday.
Police have declared a critical incident in relation to the accident (pictured)
‘Lual was a true hero, defending nyarweng earth and transforming the lives of many, especially within his family.
‘He was a hard-working man with many skills, admired by those around him.
“As we mourn this tremendous loss, we extend our deepest condolences to the immediate family.”
Deng Majak Piok said Luerth was the president of the Duk community in Sydney. Duk is a county in Jonglei, a state of South Sudan.
“His death saddens us to lose such an important person at this early time,” Mr. Piok said.
‘The late Lual was a great friend with whom we shared the stories of our travels.
‘On behalf of the Duk community in Sydney, I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family and extended family.
The Holden then collided with a silver Toyota Corolla hatchback (pictured)
Devastated loved ones are seen rushing to the crash site on Tuesday
“May God rest his soul in peace.”
Police were patrolling in a fully marked car on Mamre Road during the early hours of Tuesday when they saw the sedan and thought the driver was acting suspiciously.
The driver then allegedly sped onto the Great Western Highway and police followed him but lost sight of the car.
Officers stumbled upon the crash site a short time later. They gave first aid to Mr Lueth, but despite their best efforts, they could not save him.
North West Metropolitan Region Commander Gavin Wood described Mr Lueth’s death as an “incredible tragedy”.
‘You have an innocent 49-year-old man going to work, but he doesn’t go to work or come home. His family doesn’t get to see him… For that poor man, and for his family and friends, his life has changed in this instant.’
The 43-year-old driver remains in hospital and charges are expected to be filed.
A crime scene was established and a critical incident team from North Shore Police Area Command was investigating.
The investigation is also subject to independent review.
Anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV vision or information about the incident is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.