Hit-run drivers slammed as ‘deplorable’ amid surge in fatal collisions

Hit-run killers have been lashed by police as “deplorable” amid a surge in fatal collisions; and the state’s top road cop has warned drivers not to flee the scene and make a bad situation worse.

Hit-run killers have been lashed by police as “deplorable” amid a surge in fatal collisions.

The state’s top road cop has warned drivers to stop at the scene of an accident before making a bad situation worse as ­almost all hit-run killers are quickly hunted down.

New police figures obtained by the Sunday Herald Sun show eight people have died in hit-run collisions so far this year. There were six for the entire year in 2018.

Assistant Commissioner for Road Safety Stephen Leane said there was no point fleeing.

“It’s unbelievable to think that even in today’s time, people still choose to leave the scene of a crash where someone has been killed or seriously injured,” Mr Leane said.

New police figures obtained by the Sunday Herald Sun show eight people have died in hit-run collisions so far this year. Picture: David Caird

“It shows a callous disregard for other people and families forever wondering whether their loved one could have lived if they had received help.”

It can be revealed detectives from the major collision investigation unit have solved all but two of 33 fatal hit-runs since 2015.

Police figures show drivers fled from crashes twice a day on average last year. Of the 660 recorded hit-runs, multiple victims were left with serious or critical injuries.

Mr Leane said many fleeing drivers were high on drugs, drunk, in stolen cars, unlicensed or committing a crime at the time.

“A sizeable proportion of drivers committing hit-run offences are involved in some other criminal activity at the time,” he said.

“This has become more common over recent years, particularly with offending drivers in stolen cars.

“We estimate that around half of all the people involved in hit-run collisions have been involved in some other crime or were suspected of being drug or alcohol-affected at the time of the crash.”

Assistant Commissioner for Road Safety Stephen Leane has warned hit-run drivers there is no point fleeing the scene. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

However, many have clean records and are overcome by a moment of panic.

“None of these reasons are acceptable,” said Mr Leane. “If you are involved in a collision, do the right thing and stop at the scene.”

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ELDERLY PAIR KILLED IN HORROR CRASH

In February, a toddler and her 63-year-old grandmother were out for ice cream when they were taken out by a wanted hit-run driver in Glenroy.

Police are also hunting the driver who hit and killed Bryce Airs, 43, in Jamieson in November, 2017.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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