Geelong mum Tania Coad, 43, dies in hospital after Corio hit-run

A brave Geelong mum struck by a teen driver in an alleged hit-run has died in a Melbourne hospital, with her family revealing a heartbreaking final gift before she tragically passed.

Young mum Tania Coad, 43, died in hospital on Thursday. Picture: Peter Ristevski

A brave Geelong mum struck by a teen driver in an alleged hit-run has died in hospital, with her alleged killer set to face an upgraded charge over her senseless death.

Corio woman Tania Coad, 43, passed away at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Thursday night, where she has been in a critical condition since August 11.

She was allegedly hit and left for dead in a gutter by Nathan Thomas, 18, who a court heard went to a friend’s place and smoked “one or two bongs” after the incident before turning himself in.

Her distraught family has revealed the beloved mother, daughter, sister and aunt donated her organs before her passing “so that others can continue to live their lives”.

“Words cannot express the devastation we feel as a family,” a statement read.

“Tania was friendly to everyone and a person with so much heart.

Ms Coad donated her organs before she died. Photo: Supplied.

“There is no way to express the emotions we are feeling at this time and we ask the public to respect our privacy while the matter is being investigated.”

Detectives have now charged Thomas with dangerous driving causing death.

He’s already appeared at a bail hearing in court charged with careless driving, failing to stop, failing to render assistance and driving while suspended over the alleged hit-run collision at the intersection of Plantation Rd and Washington St.

Ms Coad’s family said they were “proud of Tania”, who fought courageously against her injuries in an intensive care unit in Melbourne, giving a special thanks to staff at the Royal Melbourne “for caring for Tania in her final days.”

It comes after Detective Sergeant Peter Romanis told a Geelong court, on August 12, Thomas had completed a “burnout” at a roundabout on Plantation Rd immediately prior to the crash. He then allegedly hit the woman with his car, throwing her into the air before she landed heavily about 25m away in a gutter.

Accused hit-run killer driver Nathan Thomas.

He fled the scene and Ms Coad is now dead.

The court heard Thomas told police he panicked and drove home, before telling his parents of the hit-run. He then travelled by bus to a friends’ house and smoked weed.

He will appear at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on December 3.

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Originally published as Geelong mum Tania Coad, 43, dies in hospital after Corio hit-run