Family of Tony Plati, killed in a Freshwater ‘hit and run’, urges the driver to give themselves up
Tony Plati was a loving dad and a carer for his 102-year-old mum before he died in an apparent hit and run. Now his grieving family want the driver to explain what happened.
Manly
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The grieving family of a father killed in an early morning hit and run has made an emotional plea for the driver to come forward and “just explain what happened”.
Antonio “Tony” Plati, 66, was left to die from multiple injuries on a wet roadway after being struck while out on his favourite walk to the beach at 5.45am on Saturday, February 22.
His sister Anne Gelonesi, on behalf of his daughter Maria and his whole extended family, also wants the driver to tell them why they did not stop and help Mr Plati as his life ebbed away on Oliver St at Freshwater.
Mr Plati, who was a full-time carer for his 102-year-old mother Maria in their home in Waratah St, was walking to South Curl Curl Beach when he was hit.
Two tradesmen found him on the road. A resident ran to keep him warm with blankets and shield him from the rain with an umbrella until the ambulance arrived.
Police have set up Strike Force Clarefield, made up of officers from the northern beaches and the NSW Crash Investigation Unit, to track down the driver.
Mrs Gelonesi told the Manly Daily this week, ahead of Mr Plati’s funeral on Thursday, that their mother, and Mr Plati’s adult daughter, needed answers.
“We would love that person to come forward, just to explain what happened,” she said.
“That way we can also explain it to our mother and Tony’s daughter.
“We just want something, just tell us something about what happened.”
Mrs Gelonesi said the family could not understand why the person who hit her brother did not stop and try to help him.
“They could have saved his life if they stopped and helped.
“As a mother I always tell my kids ‘do the right thing, do the right thing’.
“We don't hold any anger, we just don’t want anything like this to happen again to anyone else.
“We can’t bring my brother back, but we all learn from this that accidents can happen.
“Yes, we are grieving, but we don’t want any other families to grieve.
“Please, please, just come forward to the police.”
Mrs Gelonesi said their mother Maria was being supported by their large extended family.
“She’s got lots of love and lots of people around her.
“She is getting just as much love as my brother Tony gave her.
“Mum is nearly 103 years old and she has been with us this long because of the amazing care and love she received from Tony.
“Now there is no way of ever thanking him enough for what he did for her.
“Tony always said that he could never do enough for her and that he would look after her and that he would always be there for mum.
“He was an amazing person and it’s so sad that he had to go this way.”
Northern Beaches Crime Manager Michael Boutouridis said Strike Force Clarefield had been collecting and examining CCTV footage.
“This incident would have played with the driver’s conscience,” Chief Inspector Boutouridis said.
“I’m appealing to the driver who may or may not know they were involved in a collision.
“If they do know, or they are sceptical, I think they should decide to come and see us.
“Come to us before we come to you. We’ve thrown significant resources into this and it’s much easier if you come to us first.”
Mr Plati’s funeral will be held at St Kevins Catholic Church, Oaks Ave, Dee Why, from 11am on Thursday, March 5.