By DANIELLE GALVIN
THE daughters of Garfield grandmother Marianne Higgins have made a desperate plea for the driver who left their mum injured and shaken in a hit-run accident on Tuesday to come forward.
The 62-year-old mum of three was waiting on a footpath in Waterford Rise at 3.40pm when she was struck by the driver of a silver car which crossed over the median strip and mounted the kerb before knocking Ms Higgins.
“I was standing on the footpath waiting for my daughter to come and pick me up,” she said.
“I heard a noise, I could hear a car.
“She was in tears and she was saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry’, she had a young child who was very upset.
“She just said she would move her car.”
The driver, believed to be a woman in her 40s, then fled the scene before witnesses could write down her details.
The two children in the car were distressed at the incident and police have urged the woman to come forward and “set a good example” for her children.
Ms Higgins said she understood that it would have been “very traumatic” for the driver who got out of the car crying to see if she was OK before leaving the scene.
“You don’t expect people to just drive way,” she said.
But her daughters Catherine and Angela Smallbone were less forgiving of the woman who left their mum injured as she waited for an ambulance.
“I was really shocked I was actually supposed to be with her at the time, but she sent me away to do some errands and I was in Pakenham when I got the news from a passerby that she’d been hit by this car and I was furious,” Ms Smallbone said.
“At the time, I didn’t know that the lady had driven off, but when I did find out … I just can’t fathom someone doing that unless there was something wrong with her.
“I just couldn’t do it myself, so I just couldn’t understand how someone else could do it and not find out that she’s OK – it’s just the right thing to do.”
Senior Constable Lisa Atkinson attended the incident and said police were investigating the circumstances of the hit-run.
“We are particularly hoping that the female driver involved in this incident will contact police herself,” she said.
“Obviously, it will be a lot better for her if she comes forward now and speaks with us.
“With the description we’ve been given, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before someone can provide information regarding her identity.”
Sen Const Atkins implored the driver to come forward and tell her side of the story.
“It’s not the right thing to do; the right thing to do would be to stay and make sure the victim is OK and exchange details,” she said.
The children in the car included a girl in the front seat, aged between 6-7 years old and a boy in the back seat.
The vehicle is believed to be a silver Holden Commodore, possibly a 2007 model Calais.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the accident or who may have any information that could assist in identifying the driver to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.
