Hannah Hammoud
A 13-year-old boy who was on his way to catch the school bus has ended up in hospital with a broken ankle following a hit and run in St Albans.
Police said the boy was hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing on Main Road West near Army Street, just after 8.30am, on August 9.
The 13-year-old boy, Joshua, had a green walking signal to cross the street, but was struck by a driver in a blue Ford Falcon sedan who failed to stop at the red light.
Senior Sergeant Jason Dolman said police are urging the driver, who has not yet been identified, to come forward and attend the Keilor Downs Police station.
Joshua’s mother, Isobella Cooper said the incident has been “traumatic” for her young son who has undergone surgery for his broken ankle and is awaiting a second procedure.
“I was around the corner, I got the phone call and ran straight away to make sure he was OK and found him on a park bench with lovely people helping him,” she said.
“All he was doing was running across the other side to get to the school bus and catch that down to school. He does it every single morning and he knows, always to go on a green light and not to go ever on a red light.”
Ms Cooper said she was shocked watching the dashcam footage, where the driver hits her son, and continues to drive away. She is urging the driver behind the wheel to come forward to police.
“… How could someone just leave him on the ground?
“Everyone makes mistakes and I understand that and my sons got to live with the consequences, and [the driver] has to step up for the consequences as well,” she said.
Ms Cooper said Jousha is in hospital and is doing well to recover, and is encouraging anyone with information or further dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
