The Rotorua man struck by a motorcyclist in a hit-and-run on Edmund Rd fought brain cancer as a child and is deaf and blind.
The family of Paige Johnson, 24, say he is a “super hero” and had fought all his life to be independent - getting his first solorental just two months ago.
Now he is fighting for his life in Waikato Hospital after an unknown motorcyclist struck him on a pedestrian crossing as he walked home from the Four Square Edmund Road just before 2.15pm on Sunday.
The police cordon on Rotorua's Edmund Rd after a hit and run incident earlier in the day on Sunday. Photo / Ben Fraser
His sister, Natika Matthews, told the Rotorua Daily Post this morning her brother was not doing well and was having constant brain bleeds.
She said the motorcyclist responsible needed to come forward and the whānau would not stop until they got justice for her brother.
“Our family will be pushing this … We want to raise awareness about all of this and the more we have people talking about it, the more he will be talked about.
“We will constantly talk about this until we find the man.”
A witness, who did not want to be named, told the Rotorua Daily Post she and her husband were in their car on Edmund Rd, heading towards Sunset Rd, when they stopped at the pedestrian crossing to let Johnson cross.
Paige Johnson, 24, was the victim of a hit and run on Edmund Rd in Rotorua.
The witness said a speeding motorcyclist passed their stationary vehicle from behind and “nailed” Johnson.
The motorcyclist then stopped, did a U-turn and came back the way he came - driving past Johnson as he lay on the road - and sped off towards Clayton Rd.
Police are appealing for the motorcyclist to come forward.
Matthews said it was heartbreaking as her brother was determined to live a normal life despite his disabilities.
“In our family’s eyes, he’s a superhero.”
She said her family wanted to thank the couple who were with her brother immediately after he was hit.
“I know it wasn’t pretty but deep down in my family’s heart it means a lot. My family really need help with any information concerning the accident, absolutely anything.”
Police want to speak with anyone who was on Edmund Rd between 2pm and 2.30pm and might have seen the motorbike rider.
They were also looking for dashcam and CCTV footage in the Edmund Rd and Clayton Rd areas.
Anyone who could help was asked to call 105 and quote reference number P062875068, or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
