Hopes shattered by hit-run crash

By Callan Date
RYAN Lucas is one shattered young man.
The 20-year-old Berwick resident went to bed last Friday night content with the world but woke up a few hours later to find his much-loved Ford Fairmont had been smashed into by another vehicle.
Mr Lucas had parked his ’95 gunmetal grey car out the front of his house in Cullen Close.
Only hours later and the car was a mess after an out-of-control four-wheel drive careered into it at high speed.
The driver sped off without leaving any details and now Mr Lucas has to pick up the pieces of a smash that was not his fault.
The $8000 car has been declared a write-off and with no insurance cover valid, the part-time student faces an uphill battle saving for another vehicle.
“It was insured for third party fire and theft but the insurance company have said they can’t do anything because they don’t know who the driver is,” Mr Lucas said.
He said several neighbours heard the loud smash at about 3.30am and rushed out to see what had happened, only to witness a early model white Nissan Patrol take off.
“I was in shock at first and I spent about four hours just trying to collect my thoughts.”
Mr Lucas said he believed the 4WD was travelling up to 80kmh at the time of the collision.
“The whole back of the car has been pushed up into the front. Once it was hit the car was pushed through a fence and snapped a post. It ended up about 20 metres from where it was parked.”
The keen cricketer was also ruing his decision to leave his equipment in the boot of his car.
“My brand new bat was damaged and can’t be used. Other stuff in my cricket bag was damaged too.
“The sound system survived. I’ve been able to get the two amplifiers out and the sub woofer is still OK. I’ll keep the wheels but that’s about it,” he said.
Mr Lucas said police are investigating the collision and any help from the public would be appreciated.
Anyone with any information about the Cullen Close incident is asked to contact Narre Warren Police on 9705 3111.