Fairy Meadow alleged hit and run victim 'will need lifetime medical care'; police hunt for ute

A Fairy Meadow man will need care for life after he was the alleged victim of a hit and run incident in October.

Antonio Spano, aged 57, was walking home near the intersection of the Princes Highway and Daisy Street near Fairy Meadow on Wednesday, 16 October.

About 8:55 pm emergency services received reports a man was allegedly hit by a car.

Officers attached to Wollongong Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics rendered lifesaving help to Antonio, who suffered serious head and chest injuries.

He was taken to Wollongong Hospital in a critical condition, before he was transferred to St George Hospital.

He has since been transferred to Liverpool Hospital where he remains.

Antonio’s aunty, Silvana Repaci, said the incident had changed the lives of Tony’s entire family.

“Tony is a genuine, family-orientated and caring man, who provided care for his mother,” she said.

“Tony has suffered a brain injury and will now need life-time medical care. The impact of the crash has been devastating.

“We plead with anyone in the community who has any information to come forward: someone must know something.

“This has done so much damage to our family unit and we are pleading for the person responsible or anyone who knows anything to come forward to give our family some answers on what happened to our beloved brother, son, nephew and dad.”

A crime scene was established on the night, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident began.

Detectives have released new CCTV footage of a vehicle they are seeking to identify to assist with their inquiries.

It’s described as a white single-cab 4WD utility with a metal tray back and green canvass canopy.

Wollongong Police District Detective Chief Inspector Glen Broadhead appealed for anyone in the community with information to contact police.

“This is a horrible case of Antonio being in the wrong place at the wrong time; he was simply walking home after dropping his son to his home,” Det Ch Insp Broadhead said.

“We know there are people out there that know what happened and we are urging them or anyone they know to come forward with this vital information.

“Antonio’s family deserve answers and we hope the release of this new CCTV may jog someone’s memory and encourage them to come forward with information,” he said.

Anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage or information who hasn’t spoken to police, is urged to come forward and contact Wollongong Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.