Young father killed by ute when crossing Parramatta Rd in hit and run
THE family members of a teenage father killed in a hit-and-run incident have pleaded for the driver to give himself up.
Villawood plumber Siaki “Jack” Mafoa was killed crossing the road at the corner of Parramatta Rd and Lavender St, Five Dock, about 7.45pm on Friday.
Police believe he was hit by “a white or silver” ute, but the driver has gone to ground.
The 19-year-old leaves behind two daughters that he had with girlfriend Raelina, 19 — Kandi Heart, 23 months, and Leah Jane, seven months.
About 25 friends and family members gathered at the Villawood home of Mr Mafoa’s parents, Mikaele and Tupou, where they issued a plea for the driver to come forward.
“I’m just devastated,” his mother, Mrs Mafoa, said.
“All I would say to the driver is `hand yourself in’.”
Mr Mafoa’s brother Semisi, 22, said: “We can forgive but the law will catch up with you.”
The family members spoke out yesterday after returning from the morgue, where they officially identified Mr Mafoa’s body.
Police are also appealing for information that may help them track down the driver.
Mr Mafoa, a second-year apprentice, had come out of the Illinois Hotel with a number of friends when he was collected by a west-bound car, which failed to stop.
A woman driving a Mitsubishi Mirage came to his aid and loaded Mr Mafoa into her car before racing towards Concord Hospital.
She made it about 2km down the road before Mr Mafoa’s condition worsened and emergency services were called.
The woman linked up with an ambulance, which rushed him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police inspector Phil Brooks said a white or silver Holden Rodeo table-top ute was last seen leaving the scene west along on Parramatta Rd.
He said police were appealing for witnesses or anyone with information that could help track down the driver. The driver faces charges of dangerous driving causing death, which carries a maximum jail term of 14 years.
Alternative charges include negligent driving causing death or failing to stop at the scene of an accident to render assistance. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail.
Mr Mafoa’s aunt, Lucy Gostray, said she last saw him on Wednesday, when she offered him a lift to work, which he declined.
“I was going to arrange to pick his kids up in the afternoon this coming week,” she said.
Mr Mafoa was one of six children and had four sisters and one brother.
His sister Anna said the family had been at home on Friday when police knocked on the door to tell them of the incident.
It was then she “knew that something really bad had happened”, she said.
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