Driver charged after fatal hit and run at New Lambton

POLICE have charged the driver of a Holden Statesman after a hit and run in Newcastle yesterday. The 54-year-old had stepped onto the road when he was fatally struck — with the driver allegedly fleeing the scene while he lay dying.

A MAN has been charged after a hit and run in which a 54-year-old man was killed after stepping onto the road in Newcastle early yesterday morning.

The 54-year-old had stepped onto Railway Rd at New Lambton when he was struck by a Holden Statesman about 2.40am.

The driver allegedly fled the scene without stopping to help the man, who suffered critical injuries. He was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he died a short time later.

TONIGHT: Neighbours rush to try to save a man, killed in a hit & run in New Lambton. Details at 6pm @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/Q5A3fJnfft

— Tyson Cottrill (@TysonCottrill) January 1, 2018

About 8am yesterday, police arrested the 44-year-old man and charged him with dangerous driving occasioning death, fail to stop and render assistance after impact causing death, negligent driving occasioning death, fail to stop and assist after impact causing injury, and not give particulars to injured person.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle on Thursday, January 25.

Police continue to appeal for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

A 17-year-old girl was killed in a crash at Yagoona. Picture: Steve Harris

It is the latest death in what has been a horror holiday period on NSW roads.

Shortly after midnight yesterday, just minutes into the new year, a 17-year-old girl was killed in a crash in Western Sydney, when the small car in which she was a passenger smashed into a parked car at Yagoona. A second female passenger remains in hospital in a serious condition.

The 18-year-old driver was unharmed and has been charged with several offences, including dangerous driving occasioning death.

The final figure for last year was 392 fatalities, an increase of 12 on the previous year and the highest number of deaths since 2010.