Police try to locate owner of 4WD ute

Police are appealing for information to locate the owner of a 4WD ute after a hit and run has left a man in hospital with life-changing injuries for more than six weeks.

Antonio Spano, 57, was walking home after he dropped his son off when he was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Daisy St and Princes Highway in Fairy Meadow, in Wollongong’s north, about 8.55pm on October 16.

Mr Spano received serious head and chest injuries in the crash.

He was rushed to Wollongong Hospital in a critical condition, then transferred to St George Hospital in Sydney and has since been transferred to Liverpool Hospital, where he remains.

A crime scene was established on the night, and Strike Force Nubrigyn is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Mr Spano’s aunt, Silvana Repaci, said the crash had a life-changing impact not only on her nephew but his entire family.

“Tony is a genuine, family-orientated and caring man,” she said.

“He provided care for his mother, who is unwell.

“Tony has suffered a brain injury and will now need lifetime medical care. The impact of the crash has not only been devastating for Tony but his whole family – our entire family.

“We plead with anyone in the community who has any information to come forward, someone must know something.

“This has done so much damage to our family unit and we are pleading for the person responsible or anyone who knows anything to come forward to give our family some answers or what happened to our beloved brother, son, nephew and dad.”

Detectives involved in the case have released new CCTV footage of a vehicle they are hoping to identify.

It’s described as a white single-cab 4WD utility with a metal trayback and green canvass canopy.

Wollongong Police District Detective Chief Inspector Glen Broadhead appealed for anyone in the community with information to contact police.

“This is a horrible case of Antonio being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was simply walking home after dropping his son to his home,” he said.

“We know there are people out there that know what happened and we are urging them or anyone they know to come forward with this vital information.

“Antonio’s family deserve answers and we hope the release of this new CCTV may jog someone’s memory and encourage them to come forward with information.”

Anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage or information who hasn’t spoken to police is urged to come forward and contact Wollongong Police Station or Crime Stoppers.