A cyclist left for dead in a hit-and-run in Footscray has praised the community for its outpouring of support since the incident.
Cyclist Christobal Valencia, 46, was riding to work about 8.20am last Thursday when he was T-boned by a white Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Lyons and Whitehall streets.
Left bruised and battered by the crash, the South Kingsville resident said only his helmet saved him from more serious injury.
“The driver just pulled out on me and I hit the bonnet with my head then rolled straight onto my head,” he said.
“My helmet pretty much cracked in half. My leg had no feeling at first and I was just lying there wondering if I had been paralysed.”
Mr Valencia thought a man who approached him and contacted paramedics was the driver, before learning that the driver had fled the scene without stopping.
Mr Valencia was rushed to hospital by ambulance and underwent extensive testing before being given the all-clear.
He is calling for anyone with any information to come forward and for the driver to hand himself in.
He said the community response had been overwhelming and a bright side to the otherwise traumatic experience.
“It’s the spirit of Melbourne. That’s the thing that made me fall in love and move over here from the States 17 years ago.”
Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.
