Hit-and-run vehicle found close to scene
An ‘‘eagle-eyed’’ detective found a car involved in a fatal hit-and-run parked in a driveway several kilometres from the scene.
Steffan Pearce-Loe, 30, was hit by a car as he walked his dogs near the Gayhurst Rd bridge, about 2.30am on Thursday. He died overnight on Friday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Cottam said after reviewing CCTV footage, the investigation was focused on a particular type of car.
‘‘Following good old fashioned police work, an eagle-eyed detective saw a vehicle matching the description with damage consistent with the crash in the driveway of an address several kilometres away from the scene.’’
The vehicle was seized under a search warrant with a forensic examination under way.
Cottam said the car’s owner had been interviewed and was helping police with ongoing inquires. He said a decision on charges would be made in due course.
Pearce-Loe’s family described him as an ‘‘adventurous and loving’’ man.
Cottam said earlier a post-mortem showed Pearce-Loe died as a result of a head injury ‘‘consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle’’. A preliminary reconstruction of Pearce-Loe’s final movements indicated he was crossing the road at the time, but it remained unclear whether he was travelling east-to-west or west-to-east.
The vehicle involved would have been travelling north when it hit Pearce-Loe, Cottam said. It was unclear how fast it was going at the time.
Cottam released a picture of a righthand wing mirror found at the scene in the hope someone would recognise it.
‘‘This tragic death serves as a timely reminder that drivers need to take due care when driving at night; and that it is a driver’s responsibility when involved in a crash to stop, ascertain what has happened, and provide assistance to any injured person.’’
He said the family was ‘‘struggling to come to terms’’ with the sudden loss of a loved one, but were being supported by friends and family.
In a notice on Saturday, Pearce-Loe’s family thanked the intensive care unit at Christchurch Hospital and paid tribute to a son, brother, partner and ‘‘best mate’’.
‘‘We will all miss our adventurous and loving man.’’