Police have released CCTV footage of the motorcyclist they believe is responsible for the hit-and-run of Paige Johnson on Edmund Rd on Sunday. Photo / Supplied
Police have released CCTV footage of the motorcyclist they believe is responsible for the hit-and-run of Paige Johnson on Edmund Rd on Sunday. Photo / Supplied
Police have released a security camera image of a motorcyclist they say ran over a blind and deaf cancer survivor on Edmund Rd, Rotorua, on Sunday.
Police said the rider involved in the hit-and-run needs to do the right thing and come forward.
The family of the criticallyinjured pedestrian, Paige Johnson, 24, spoke publicly today, saying he was their “superhero” and had fought to live a normal life despite his disabilities.
Paige Johnson, 24, was the victim of a hit-and-run on Edmund Rd, Rotorua.
Johnson is in Waikato Hospital after the motorcyclist struck him on a pedestrian crossing as he walked home from the Four Square Edmund Road just before 2.15pm on Sunday.
Police said the rider overtook a stationary vehicle waiting for Johnson to cross and struck him on the crossing.
The rider then did a U-turn and rode back towards the crossing, but did not stop or check on the victim. The rider then fled the scene.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Wilkinson of the Rotorua police said a large team was in the early stages of gathering evidence.
“Police have obtained CCTV footage of the motorcycle shortly after the crash showing the motorcycle turning left on to Clayton Rd and travelling in the direction of Gem St.
“We would like the rider to do the right thing and come forward and speak to us about what happened.”
A police cordon was set up on Rotorua's Edmund Rd after a hit-and-run incident on June 15. Photo / Ben Fraser
He said someone would know who the rider was and police were appealing to those people to act on their conscience and contact them.
“The family of the injured man are understandably upset about the circumstances of this incident. They are appealing for members of the public to come forward with information about the rider.”
Wilkinson said police would like to hear from any other witnesses to the crash or the rider, and he asked them to contact police as soon as possible.
Johnson’s sister Natika Matthews told the Rotorua Daily Post this morning her brother was excited to gain his independence two months ago by moving into his own solo rental property.
She said her brother was not doing well in hospital 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.”
Matthews said it was heartbreaking because her brother was determined to live a normal life despite his disabilities.
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.”
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.
