Henry Jennings identified as victim of fatal Sunshine Coast hit and run

The 21-year-old who died after allegedly being hit by a car and left by the roadside on New Year’s Day has been identified.

A Minyama man who tragically died after he was allegedly struck by a car on New Year’s Day has been identified as 21-year-old Henry Jennings.

Police allege Mr Jennings was struck by a Mazda sedan being driven by a 25-year-old Mooloolaba man on Maroochydore Blvd about 1.30am Friday.

While the family of Mr Jennings have requested privacy at this time as they grieve, tributes from friends have remembered him for his “amazing smile” and his “awesome sense of humour”.

A Minyama man who tragically died after being hit by a car on New Year’s Morning has been identified as 21-year-old Henry Jennings. Photo: Supplied

Matthew Flinders Anglican College’s Old Flinderians Association has paid tribute to Mr Jennings, who graduated from the Sunshine Coast School in 2017.

“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and Class of 2017 as we mourn the loss of Old Flinderian Henry Jennings who passed away this morning,” the association said.

The association also encouraged those who knew Mr Jennings to light a candle in the Flinders Chapel today, with counsellors to be on hand if needed.

Former college staff also paid tribute to him, with one teacher saying he could always fill the classroom with laughter with his “awesome sense of humour”.

A Minyama man who tragically died after being hit by a car on New Year’s Morning has been identified as 21-year-old Henry Jennings. Picture: Supplied

“Rest in peace Henry, you will be missed,” the teacher said.

“You will be remembered for your amazing smile and awesome sense of humour. Q6 was filled with laughter because of you.”

Family friend Kim Morrison shared a heartfelt tribute to the 21-year-old on Saturday.

“Beautiful Henry Jennings, we will miss your smiling face, your beautiful kind heart, that cheeky spirit and your sweet soul,” she shared on social media.

“You really were everyone’s best friend. And you were like a son and brother to us.

“Taken way too soon, we’re all so devastated and heartbroken.

“But you fly high now sweetheart and know you are and always will be the light of your mum and dads eyes.

“You will always be remembered as the life of every social gathering, and you will always be everyone’s ‘one in a million’.”

She said New Year’s Day would be his “forever more.”

It’s understood Mr Jennings recently finished a third year of a business degree and had lived at Kings College at St Lucia before moving back to the Sunshine Coast only weeks ago.

The 25-year-old Mooloolaba man was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and leaving the scene of the incident without obtaining help.

He has been given bail to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 22.