Police are again appealing to the public for information as they continue to investigate the death of a pedestrian at Brighton in January 2019.
About 3am on New Year’s Day 2019, 30-year-old Gary John Hayes was walking on the Midland Highway at Brighton over the Jordan River when he was struck by an unidentified northbound vehicle, believed to be a truck.
Police are today releasing an image of the type of truck grill they believe struck Mr Hayes.
The exact make of the vehicle involved in the crash remains unknown, however investigators believe it did not have a bull bar fitted.
Acting Sergeant Adam Hall said Mr Hayes’ death has been investigated extensively since it was reported by a passing motorist later that morning.
“Police and crash analysts have continued to investigate the incident, but the vehicle and its driver have not yet been identified,” he said.
“By releasing an image of the type of truck grill, we are renewing our calls for help from the public and urge anyone with information about the vehicle and driver involved, to come forward.”
“Mr Hayes is believed to have been walking northbound on the Brooker Highway from the Berriedale area for some time prior to the crash.”
“He was seen at the Upper Hilton Road on-ramp, and was next sighted walking at the southern entrance to the Brighton Transport Hub on the Midland Highway.”
“Police believe Mr Hayes was hitchhiking at the time, and it is likely that he was picked up by a passing motorist and given a lift over the Bridgewater Bridge to the Midland Highway, sometime between 1:45am and 2:20am.”
“Mr Hayes is described as being 169 centimetres tall and of slim build. He was wearing a black Collingwood Magpies Football Club jumper, blue track pants with a white stripe on each leg, and blue sandshoes.”
“We need to hear from anyone who may have given Mr Hayes a lift in the early hours of 1 January 2019, or who saw any vehicles in the area who may have stopped along the route to pick up a hitchhiker.”
“Anyone who drove along the Midland Highway at Brighton around 3am that day is asked to get in touch with police.”
“We would also like to speak with the driver of a white hatch, which was seen stopped on the side of the Midland Highway at Melton Mowbray some time after the crash.”
Information can be provided to Southern Crash Investigation Services on 131 444, or to Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
