Hit-and-Run Victim Alleges Police Treated Him Unequally and Unfairly Because of His Race
Almost a month after an out-of-control youth ploughed into Munir Safi’s car, Police are still treating the hit-and-run as a car accident and have not found the perpetrator. That is despite video footage showing the youth fleeing the vehicle accompanied by a woman who locals have identified. The hit-and-run has left the father to one toddler with a written-off vehicle, a $360.50 towing bill, a $500 insurance excess, additional transport costs, and a sense that Police don’t care.
Pictured: Munir Safe at home.
On 25 March, Munir was driving home along Peverel Street, when a teenager driving a black hatchback down Centennial Avenue, swung out into the intersection and careered directly into him. Munir swerved and watched the hatchback speed head-on into his Toyota Corolla.
Munir said the driver wasn’t looking, “can’t control the car”, was “drifting”-meaning the driver was spinning out the car’s rear wheels. He said he looked like he was drunk or on drugs. “He looks like crazy.” Munir described the driver as “bullying” him. Chaotic scenes erupted. People at the local park came to help. Meanwhile, the teenager backed up the car and sped back down Centennial Avenue.
What happens next was recorded on video that has been provided to Police.
The driver jumps out of the vehicle and places his hands on his head. He appears to be in a state of shock. A woman who lived at a nearby address meets the teenager and they walk off together. A third individual then runs to the car, hops in and speeds off off-camera.
An eyewitness saw him enter two no-exit streets, before driving the car back to the accident. He is photographed fleeing eastwards towards Westfield Mall. Munir described his driving as bullying.
Initially Police did not visit the scene, leaving Munir, his wife and toddler to wait for a towaway vehicle. Police Communications confirmed the accident had been added to the system as car v car. Once additional details of the accident had been added, Police confirmed a unit was nearby. An officer who attended the scene was confident he knew the offender.
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