Mount Pritchard police investigation after dead body is found in south-west Sydney after alleged hit-and-run
A man reportedly involved in a fatal collision was seen just meters away in the background as police held a press conference urging the driver to come forward.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Pritchard Street and Hemphill Avenue in Mount Pritchard, in Sydney’s south-west, about 3am on Wednesday after a passing motorist found a man in the middle of the road.
The victim, a 31-year-old man of Indian or subcontinental appearance who was believed to be intoxicated, suffered serious injuries to his head and torso and died at the scene.
Police established a crime scene at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and called a press conference at the intersection of the collision.
But as NSW Police Inspector Benjamin McIntyre addressed the media, he was unaware that their suspect was walking just meters behind him, as seen in footage from the press conference.
A 55-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged hit-and-run in Sydney’s south-west
NSW Police Inspector Benjamin McIntyre addressed the media, unaware that their suspect was walking just meters behind him, as seen in footage from the press conference
CCTV footage of a man staggering down the street early on Wednesday morning before a black Lexus drove past about 45 minutes later was obtained by Nine News.
That footage was shown to detectives who found the same Lexus in a driveway just feet away from the crime scene.
The 55-year-old man was then arrested at around 9.30am and taken to Fairfield police station. He has yet to be charged.
Earlier in the press conference, a reporter asked, “If the driver behind the wheel of that car was watching you right now, what would your message be?”
‘Go to your local police station or contact us immediately. We really need to speak to you and we are appealing to your conscience,” said Inspector McIntyre, who was unaware that the suspect was walking back and forth past a house behind him moments earlier.
An intersection in Mount Pritchard remains a crime scene after a fatal collision
The man died on the spot despite attempts to save him. In the photo the police are on the scene
Officers remained at the home after the arrest, where they inspected the black Lexus and placed evidence in plastic bags.
It is unclear how long the man’s body had been lying in the middle of the street.
He has yet to be formally identified.
It is clear that the victim and the driver did not know each other.
The passing motorist who came across the man’s body was treated for shock by paramedics.
Police are calling on witnesses or people with information about the incident to come forward and help with the investigation.
Police inspected a vehicle several meters away from the alleged collision