HUNT FOR COWARD DRIVER WHO HIT LARA NURSE:
HUSBAND’S PLEA AFTER DRIVER STRIKES LARA NURSE & FLEES
A MANHUNT was last night under way for a “cowardly” driver who fled after running a red light and crashing into a nurse in a shocking hit-run that has devastated a Lara family.
Shanne Doctor-Naron was crossing the road outside Sunshine Hospital, in Melbourne’s west, on Monday night when she was struck by a ute.
The woman’s husband Justin Naron said he had been left “numb” by the low act, as he pleaded for the culprit to come forward.
“To the heartless person that did this to my wife, the least you can do is turn yourself in to police,” Mr Naron said.
He said he feared the worst when he received a late night call from authorities telling him his “loving and caring” wife was seriously wounded outside her workplace.
“I’m worried, scared and hopeful police will get the driver and we can have justice for my wife,” he said.
The medical community was in shock yesterday as colleagues recovered from witnessing the aftermath of the crash that saw Mrs Doctor-Naron flung into the air as she crossed at a pedestrian light on Furlong Rd in St Albans.
Passers-by, including the nurse’s workmates, rushed to her aid, holding her and performing first aid while witnesses also tried to note the details of the offending car as it fled.
Mr Naron said it had provided the family some “comfort” knowing his wife was being helped by her friends.
But he said he could not under- stand how anyone could leave someone after a crash.
Witnesses told police the driver did not even appear to slow down after the impact.
“Her stuff was thrown across the road,” Mr Noran said. “It was a really bad hit.” Mrs Doctor-Naron, 29, had been working in coronary care at the hospital for about four months after long stints in the Philippines and Sydney.
She was walking back to her car to travel home to Lara about 9.50pm after finishing her shift when it’s believed a dark-coloured ute ran a red light.
“She was walking, she heard a car revving,” Mr Naron said.
“She tried to go back to the footpath but it was too late.”
Ms Doctor-Naron underwent surgery in Royal Melbourne Hospital for fractured bones yesterday and her condition stabilised.
Her and her husband were reunited in hospital yesterday afternoon.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Senior Constable Debra McFarlane said the driver would have known they had hit someone, yet they chose to drive off without helping the victim.
“This is a cowardly act,” SenConstable McFarlane said.
Police were checking security footage to track the car’s movements and identify the driver.
Sen-Constable McFarlane said the ute was possibly a black Holden and investigators believed it would have damage to its passenger side or bonnet.
Police particularly want to hear from anyone who may have been driving in Melbourne’s west at the time who saw a black ute. They also want to speak to any motorists who may have relevant dash cam footage.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“To the heartless person that did this to my wife, the least you can do is turn yourself in to police.” JUSTIN NARON