Police seek your help
The body of an unidentified man believed to be in his sixties was found by a passerby in Waterloo Road, Trafalgar, last Sunday morning. Also unidentified is the vehicle and the driver which police believe hit and killed him, sometime between 7:10 pm Saturday night and early Sunday morning. The body was discovered shortly after 10 am and police have said it had been there for some time
The man was wearing black tracksuit pants with two vertical white stripes, a black jumper and a black and white shirt. He also sported a grey beard. When found, he was shoeless which could indicate he was homeless, or sleeping rough, but police suggest this is not necessarily so; amnesia could be a factor or he could have had some sort of medical episode or illness.
Detective Sergeant Peter Romanis from the Major Collision Investigation Unit told Traf District News that police really need the public’s help to solve this unfortunate death.
“We appeal to the public who may have seen him because he was spotted in the town on Saturday afternoon and again at 7:10 Saturday evening in Waterloo Road. Any information can be given directly to a police station so any members of the public who may have any information, or any dash cam footage that might have had this man walking on Waterloo Road on Saturday night or Sunday morning. We are asking for community assistance in piecing together what happened.”
The body was found in a spoon drain on the northside of Waterloo Road, near the cross over from Davey Drive.
“Debris at the scene suggests the man was hit at some speed. “Given the level of debris that was on the road, there’s no chance that whoever’s done this may not have realised. It’s absolutely apparent to me that someone will have known that they’ve struck this individual. The debris field was quite large.” Det Sgt Romanis told Traf District News.
Included in the debris was part of a headlight and indicators and enough evidence to suggest the vehicle was white.
The vehicle is likely to have damage to the passenger side headlight and the public are asked to keep an eye out for a damaged white vehicle.
Detective Sergeant Romanis appealed to the driver of the car to come forward.
“Imagine if it was your friend, your 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. Put yourself in their shoes and come and speak with us about what happened.”
And if anyone has anything to add, the police urge them to contact Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000) and they can do so anonymously if they don’t wish to have their name attributed to it, or contact your local police station. “But we really are appealing to the community for assistance in piecing together what happened.” Det. Sgt. Romanis added.
Fatal pedestrian deaths have increased and it is a concern for police. There were 25 pedestrian fatalities this year, up from 16 last year and that is a staggering increase of 56%. The five year average is 19 pedestrian deaths per year, so this year’s increase is 31% above the five year average.
This death brings Eastern Victoria’s total to ten.
Summary:
Police need your help in identifying a man who was killed in Waterloo Road sometime in the early hours of last Sunday, by a vehicle which left the scene and it is known that the vehicle was white and will have a damaged passenger side headlight and surrounds.
If you have anything that might help, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report to your nearest police station.
