Police hunt for hit-and-run driver who left cyclist for dead on side of road in Victoria
WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGES: A callous driver who ran down a cyclist and left her for dead is being urged to hand himself in after almost a year on the run.
Stacey Matthews was left with horrific injuries, including a broken neck, after being struck northwest of Melbourne last October.
Police have released an image of the man they believe is responsible for leaving Ms Matthews for dead on the side of the Gisborne-Melton Road.
She was riding in Toolern Vale last year when a car travelling on the wrong side of the road drove straight at her.
The 26-year-old nurse said she couldn’t avoid the speeding driver.
“Unfortunately I had very little time to react and he was coming at least 100 km an hour,” she told reporters.
“I was flung 30 metres onto the road and onto the other side of the road.”
The driver left Ms Matthews lying on the road with a broken back, neck, collarbone and jaw and severe internal injuries.
Her arm was also left shredded after the crash.
An off duty police officer, firefighter and nurse who happened to be driving past at the time helped to save her life.
“I can't be more thankful to those people who stopped, thank you so much,” Ms Matthews said on Thursday.
Despite her traumatic experience, the keen cyclist was determined to get back on her bike as soon as she could.
“I personally think I shouldn't stop something I’m passionate about just because of one person's actions,” she said.
Almost 12 months after the accident, police say they are close to arresting a suspect, but they need the public's help
They are asking anyone who recognises the man in the composite sketch to contact crime stoppers.
Senior Constable Holly Gibson said police are also seeking information on the suspect’s badly damaged white Holden Commodore.
“Obviously we need to try and get this person off the road as soon as possible,” Snr Const Gibson said. “Pass that information onto us, it may be the last piece of the puzzle that we need.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
