CCTV released by police reveals white truck driving on Waterloo Rd, Trafalgar, where suspected hit-run occurred

A white truck has been filmed driving along a Trafalgar road about the same time a suspected hit-run victim was last seen alive.

Police have released CCTV footage of a white truck near the road of a suspected hit-run after detectives found white paint flecks at the Gippsland site.

The footage shows the vehicle travelling on Waterloo Rd, Trafalgar about 7.10pm on Saturday, near where the body of a man in his 60s was found on Sunday morning.

Investigators believe the man was hit by a vehicle on Waterloo Rd, east of Davey Drive, sometime overnight or earlier that morning.

The driver did not stop.

The man was last seen walking east along Waterloo Rd, about 50m east of Middle Rd about 7.10pm on Saturday.

Although there have been no suggestions the white truck was involved in the incident, police believe the driver may be able to help with their investigation.

The deceased man, who is yet to be identified, was believed to be in his 60s and had a grey beard.

He was last seen barefoot and wearing a black tracksuit top, a white chequered shirt, black trackpants with two white stripes down the sides.

30/07/2024 CCTV released in relation to the investigation into the death of a man in Trafalgar: Vision of a white truck, the driver of which, may be able to assist with inquiries: Picture: Victoria Police

MCIU detective Sergeant Peter Romanis said the man could have been lying dead on the side of the road for hours before he was found.

He said he would be gobsmacked if the driver wasn’t aware of hitting the man and the vehicle involved would likely be damaged on the passenger side.

“We are fairly certain a vehicle was involved — we say that because of the debris field — including fragments of glass, plastic and indicator lights that were found at the scene, that was strewn for quite some distance from where we believe the impact occurred,” Sgt Romanis said.

Approximately 80 pieces of debris were collected, including white paint flecks, which could be from the vehicle involved.

MCIU detective Sergeant Peter Romanis addresses the media outside the Traralgon police station on the suspected Trafalgar hit-run on Monday, July 29, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono

There were also signs the vehicle may have left the road.

“The debris field was quite large — whether or not had they had the opportunity to see him before that is another thing — given it’s a very dimly lit area,” Sgt Romanis said.

He said drivers who failed to stop after an accident were usually panicking.

“I’ve been to quite a lot of hit-run collisions in my career and it strikes me every time the contrast in humanity between those who stop and help and those who choose to flee,” he said.

He urged the driver to come forward.

“Imagine if it was your friend or family — what would you expect someone to do in that circumstance?

“I know what the right thing to do is and that’s to come and speak with us.”

Major Collision Unit Detectives investigating the alleged hit-run on Waterloo Rd in Trafalgar on July 28, 2024. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Meanwhile, debris from the accident site would be forensically examined in a bid to identify the type of vehicle involved.

“We are really appealing for community assistance in relation to identifying that vehicle, given the nature of where (the incident) was, we are relying on community assistance to piece together what really happened,” Sgt Romanis said.

Police were also working to identify the victim.

Sgt Romanis said police had checked aged care facilities in the surrounding areas and none had reported anyone missing.

Emergency services were called to Waterloo Rd, Trafalgar about 10.30am on Sunday, where the deceased male was discovered by a passer-by. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Sgt Romanis said the passer-by who discovered the man was in shock.

“They certainly had to stop and check that what they thought they saw was correct,” he said.

This year, there have been 25 pedestrian fatalities across the state — compared to 16 this time last year.

10 of those deaths occurred in the eastern region.

Anyone with further information or witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, submit a confidential report online or phone Trafalgar police station on [phone].