Cops offer up $50,000 to track down driver of ute involved in hit and run

A $50,000 reward has been offered for information into the “callous” hit and run of an elderly woman in a busy Townsville shopping centre car park.

A $50,000 reward has been offered for information into the “callous” hit and run of an elderly woman in a busy Townsville shopping centre car park.

Police made the announcement on Wednesday following months of investigations into the October 15, 2021 incident at CastleTown Shopping Centre, which has left the 89-year-old woman with life altering injuries.

It’s understood the woman was walking in the underground carpark near Woolworths just prior to 8am, when a dark utility has driven past her and her son, before reversing and hitting the woman, severely injuring her.

Police are urging anyone who recognises this vehicle to contact them immediately. They believe it was involved in a hit and run earlier this month.

The elderly woman has no recollection of the incident after hitting her head on the ground.

The ute fled the shopping centre after the incident and no one has come forward with information.

It’s believed the car left the centre, turned onto Woolcock St, before turning left onto Hugh St, and it’s unknown after that point where it went, but it’s thought to have turned onto Bayswater Rd.

Police are urging anyone who recognises this vehicle to contact them immediately. They believe it was involved in a hit and run earlier this month.

Acting Sergeant at the Townsville Forensic Crash Unit Hayley Garrod said the driver of the ute would have known he hit the woman, with several other people in the carpark telling police they heard the incident.

“The person has driven past, and the elderly lady and her son have crossed behind the person and stopped, reversed back and knocked the lady to the ground and then taken off at speed,” Sergeant Garrod said.

“We don’t think it’s possible that somebody could hit her and other people hear it and not know.

“Someone out there has to know something, has to have seen it, or had somebody tell them about it, so we’re appealing for anybody to come forward and give us that information.

“She still requires full time care.

“She is a really sweet old lady, and it’s disgusting that someone can hit somebody at that age and just drive away.”

Forensic Crash Unit acting Sergeant Hayley Garrod. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The force of the hit may have left a dent in the car and possibly some blood as well, requiring a fix and to be cleaned.

“I think there would be a small dent, obviously she is a small elderly lady, I don’t think it would be a large dent and she definitely had skin tears on her legs, which to me would be from the vehicle, so there’s potential for some evidence there.”

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said there was a possibility for indemnity for anyone with information that isn’t the driver of the ute.

Chief Superintendant Craig Hanlon. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“The government has announced a $50,000 reward for the identification and prosecution of the driver of the vehicle who callously reversed into the 89-year-old female back in October,” he said.

“The person has obviously got no remorse, because they have not come forward … we want this person to be held to account for their actions.

“As long as the person is not the driver of the motor vehicle there’s an opportunity for indemnity if they come forward.”

If you have any information contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Cops offer up $50,000 to track down driver of ute involved in hit and run