Taj Hart: South Nowra hit-and-run, dashcam footage released

Tributes are flowing for a teenager killed in a tragic hit-and-run collision on the state’s south coast, now a suspected homicide, as police release dashcam footage in a bid to identify the driver of a white ute.

Tributes are flowing for a “kind-hearted” teenager killed in a shocking hit-and-run on the state’s south coast as police continue their search for the driver.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have joined the investigation into the fatal collision which killed teenager Taj Hart in South Nowra last month.

Mr Hart, 18, died at Shoalhaven Hospital on February 24 after he was struck on his way to a friend’s house by a vehicle on Old Southern Rd.

NSW Police announced this morning, following extensive inquiries, a white Mitsubishi Triton ute had been identified and seized from a Currarong address as part of the investigation. Dashcam footage of the seized ute captured shortly before the fatal collision was released by police in the hope members of the public could identify the driver.

The announcement triggered an outpouring of grief from the community.

Haley Baker posted on Facebook: “Very sad times we live in. I hope the police find the people that ended Taj’s life at such a young age.”

The hashtag #justivefortaj was being used online, with some social media users critical of the ongoing police investigation.

A Mitsubishi Triton has been seized in part of the investigation into Taj Hart’s death.

18-year-old Taj Hart succumbed to injuries sustained in the hit-and-run in South Nowra.

Cindy Bloxsome said: “May justice be served – gone to soon.”

Lisa Crawford believed the identity of the driver was already widely known.

“People already know who hit him and why,” she said. “I don‘t understand why it’s taking so long to arrest them.”

Ally Ryan said: “It‘s taken them long enough when they had that information when it happened.”

The white ute seized by police is currently undergoing forensic examination.

Police released dashcam footage of the ute – travelling north along Old Southern Rd, South Nowra before the incident – in a bid to identify the driver and passengers at the time.

South Coast Police District detective acting inspector Adrian Alston said investigators were seeking public assistance to locate the driver.

“We are appealing to the community to help us piece together the moments leading up to the young man’s death,” he said.

“I would urge the driver, any occupants, or anyone with information to come forward and assist us with our inquiries.

“Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is important to investigators and may assist us in solving this matter.”

Mr Hart’s older brother, Tyson Hart, remembered his sibling as a much-loved member of the family and the community.

“He was kind-hearted, he had so many friends and knew so many people in this town,” he said.

“The incident is horrific … (We will do) anything that helps bring the people in (to police) that stole my little brother from us.”

As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information or motorists with additional dashcam vision to contact Nowra Police on [phone] or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.