Could a broken piece of glass, kept in an evidence bag for more than seven months, be the key to unlocking an Illawarra hit and run mystery?
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Police collected the glass from the roadside in the aftermath of a collision at Oak Flats, the night of March 11.
As he crawled to the gutter with his leg broken in two places, the car drove on.
Police have viewed CCTV footage from nearby businesses as part of their ongoing investigation.
Sergeant Robert Burlin, of the Southern Crash Investigation Unit, said the vision was of limited clarity, and police had been unable to immediately identify the car’s make and model.
Investigators are now pinning their hopes on a piece of glass found on the roadside.
After consulting an area automotive specialist, they have determined that the glass is the shattered remnants of a side mirror belonging to a 2010 Holden VE Commodore.
“We’re trying to find out whether that [type of] vehicle is involved,” Sgt Burlin said.
“The glass could have possibly fallen off another vehicle before [the collision].
“We’re asking for assistance from the public to see if it jogs their memory.
“All information would be greatly appreciated in this particular matter, whether it’s small – everything’s of value to us in our investigation.”
Several people stopped to help Mr Anderson, who was taken to Wollongong Hospital and underwent surgery for his injuries, which police have described as “ongoing”.
Among the Good Samaritans was Chris Rand, who found Mr Anderson lying on the road.
“If I didn’t swerve I would have gone straight over the top of him, and I was driving an SUV,” Mr Rand told the Mercury in March.
“It looked like he’d been hit, knocked up in the air and landed. His leg was snapped between the knee and ankle. You could see it bent at a 45 degree. It was just his pants holding his leg together.”
The colour and shape of the vehicle involved remains unknown.
The collision occurred near the intersection with Minga Road.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to assist with the investigation.
Angela Thompson
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
