Driving instructor in hospital after a violent hit and run

A father suffered serious injuries in a shocking hit-and-run collision outside a school that a driving instructor fears could have been alot worse. SEE THE PHOTOS

A FATHER has been left with multiple serious injuries after a violent hit and run in Casuarina.

About 3.30pm on August 2, Sandeep Kumar, 37, drove through the intersection of Parer Dr and Trower Rd when an unregistered Holden Commodore sedan smashed into the driver’s side of the white Toyota Yaris.

All passengers in the sedan fled the scene before emergency services arrived.

Images show the shocking extent of the damage to the vehicle, with part of the front ripped off.

ABC Driving School supervisor Selma Bukhari, a long-time friend of Mr Kumar, said witnesses rushed to help the driver until St John NT arrived at the scene.

“I am so grateful for this one woman, Rachel, who ran to his side and held his head,” she said.

“She told him ‘You’re safe now and everything is going to be okay’.

“I think her words gave him the strength to push through.”

Ms Bukhari said the Darwin father was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital with multiple pelvic fractures, fractured ribs and internal bleeding.

“He is going to be traumatised for the rest of his life,” she said.

“Even now every time I get into the car to take my children to school or childcare, I’m scared.

“I can’t stop thinking that someone will hit me.”

Mr Kumar, a chef, began working for the driving school after his cafe closed during the pandemic.

Ms Bukhari said he was a natural teacher.

“All the students loved him,” she said.

“After it happened, I had to call them all to cancel their lessons and since I have received messages each day from people wanting to know if he is okay.

“He was such a kind and considerate teacher and now it could be years before he is able to drive again.”

Ms Bukhari said when she first heard the news her “heart stopped” and she couldn’t help but feel responsible for the accident.

“I feel guilty because he was working for us,” she said.

“He was driving our car, he’s our colleague and is our friend.

“It happened right next to Casuarina Senior College. I would hate to think about what would have happened if a child was crossing the road when the car came through.”

Police said investigations would continue to locate the driver and passengers of the Holden Commodore sedan.