Family’s desperate plea for answers into hit and run death on Midland Highway

The family of a “fun-loving” father killed in a highway hit and run has implored the driver of the truck to come forward to help them find closure. SEE THE CRASH SITE >>

A CORONER and a man’s family are asking the public to help identify the driver of a heavy vehicle that struck and killed the man as he walked along a highway.

Gary John Hayes was a full-time carer for his wife Danielle Hayes at the time of his death, early on New Year’s Day in 2019, with Mrs Hayes’s father Brian Free describing the then 30-year-old as a “fun-loving”, “easy going sort of guy”.

“Losing Gary has made it incredibly difficult for both families,” Mr Free said.

“Unfortunately with Gary’s passing it’s put Danielle in full-time disability care because her parents alone and her family support is not enough to cover her needs.”

From left, Gary John Hayes's mother-in-law Mandy Free, his wife Danielle Hayes and father-in-law Brian Free. Picture: Annie McCann

But Mr Free said the coronial inquest into his son-in-law’s death, set to begin on January 27 next year, could help the families heal.

“We would like to get some closure after living with this tragedy for almost three years now,” Mr Free said.

“Before the inquest begins we want to appeal to members of the public to come forward with any information that they may have in relation to Gary’s death.

“No matter how small or insignificant it may appear to be, it may just be the piece that helps identify the vehicle and driver.”

Mr Free’s message for the driver was to “just show some compassion”.

“There’s people out there that know something and potentially can help,” he said.

“That’s what we need as a family.”

Coroner Simon Cooper has renewed the call for information amid a lengthy coronial investigation.

The section of the Midland Highway at Brighton where Gary Hayes was hit and killed on January 1, 2019. Picture: Supplied

Coroner’s associate Alisha Barnes said Mr Hayes had left his home in Claremont for a walk about 10pm on New Year’s Eve and was last seen by several witnesses at the Hilton Rd turn-off.

Someone collected him in a vehicle and took him across the Bridgewater Bridge, with Ms Barnes urging the driver to come forward.

Mr Hayes was walking along the highway and was hit by a truck about 3am near the Jordan River Bridge.

“That driver of the vehicle would know they’d hit something due to the noise and also due to the damage to the grille,” Ms Barnes said.

“We also know that vehicle has come from either Boyer Rd or the East Derwent Highway before it’s gone back and joined back onto the Midlands Highway, and it has not proceeded north of Oatlands.

“We know that it was a Western Star or a Kenworth truck that would have had this particular aftermarket alloy grille attached.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Ms Barnes on 6165 7127 or can anonymously call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.