Police looking for justice over 2013 hit and run

Someone knows what happened to Israel Jack, say police.

Yesterday marked two years since the 20-year-old was struck by two cars and killed on Te Ngae Rd, Rotorua.

Rotorua police say they desperately want to close the file on Mr Jack's death, especially to help his family grieve.

"Dealing with the death of a loved one in itself is traumatic but having to deal with the fact there are people out there who know what happened but aren't prepared to come forward makes it more distressful," said head of Rotorua CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith.

"People who have information and who could offer this information to police could help us close this case.

"If there's a reason why they don't want to talk to us we'd be happy to address those reasons."

Mr Smith said the file was still open and an officer was assigned to the case but there were currently no active leads.

"It's incredibly important for his family to know what happened to their son."

Mr Jack was a former Rotorua Boys' High School student who lived at Otakiri, near Edgecumbe, but visited friends in Rotorua each weekend.

He had been out with friends in the CBD but became separated from them.

Mr Jack was at the Caltex Service Station on Te Ngae Rd at approximately 4.20am. The call to report he had been hit by a car was made to emergency services about 4.25am. He was found near Robinson Rd, 1.4km away from the service station.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.