The family of a young cyclist seriously injured after she was knocked off her bike in a callous hit-and-run say they want the person responsible to be brought to justice.
Stacey Matthews, 24, was cycling on the Gisborne-Melton Road in Toolern Vale at 12.40pm on Saturday when she was hit by a car that failed to stop.
Ms Matthews suffered back, arm and internal injuries and was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ms Matthews’ family thanked the police and the public for the outpouring of support.
They also said: “Our only hope is that the person responsible for this tragedy is caught and brought to justice.”
“We implore anyone with information to contact police.”
It is believed the car veered onto the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing two other vehicles, before hitting Ms Matthews and throwing her from her bike.
Witnesses have told police the driver of the car did not slow down after the crash, leaving Ms Matthews for dead on the road, with her bike in a mangled mess.
Police are looking for a white VT or VX Holden Commodore, which would likely have a damaged windscreen, front guard and side mirror.
Investigators are also searching for the driver, believed to be a Caucasian man in his 20s, with a shaved head and tattoos on his neck and arm.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Yeoman said the driver was believed to be from the Toolern Vale or Melton areas.
“We’re looking for someone who may have been affected by alcohol, or drugs, or fatigue. And we believe this person is likely to have been a local from the area,” he told Seven News.
