‘Be kind’ urges father of teen hitandrun victim

THE father of the teenage victim of a hitandrun in Invercargill says he feels sorry for the alleged driver and wants to meet him in person.

A man presented himself to police yesterday and was helping with inquiries in relation to the accident, which happened in Otatara early on Sunday morning.

Bricklayer Ryan Phillips (19) was walking home from a work party about 6.15am in Marama Ave South when he was struck by a vehicle that did not stop, and critically injured.

As his son recovered in Dunedin Hospital, Nathan Phillips said he felt no anger towards the alleged driver and was pleased he had done the right thing.

‘‘I’m feeling absolutely ecstatic and relieved, to be honest.

‘‘I am very happy the young chap came forward and very, very relieved.''

Mr Phillips was worried by the hate and harsh comments the man had been receiving online.

He understood the anger directed towards the man due to the circumstances of the accident, but he asked people to be kind, as the driver was a young man.

‘‘We all make mistakes. . . I feel for the poor fellow and his family. I really do.

‘‘I can’t imagine how I would feel to run someone over and injure him to that extent. It would be horrific.

‘‘I really want to meet him in person.

‘‘I know that will be hard for him and hard for me. But I will probably shake his hand and say thank you very much and give him a hug. That's where I am at.’’

Mr Phillips said his son’s condition has been progressing slowly but steadily.

A doctor told the family they would probably would take Ryan ‘‘in and out from sedation for a few times’’ to ensure he was completely stable.

‘‘Yesterday, for example, his blood pressure went very high because of his pain levels so they had to increase the medication to help with that.

A 72yearold woman has been disqualified from driving after being found three times over the legal limit while driving on Otago Peninsula.

Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said officers were conducting breath testing near Glenfalloch Gardens, in Portobello Rd, at 1.40pm on Wednesday.

The woman recorded a breath alcohol level of 750mcg and told officers she was headed into town to do some shopping, Snr Sgt Bond said.

The woman was disqualified from driving for 28 days and would appear in court charged with drinkdriving, Snr Sgt Bond said.