Carpenter, 32, killed in alleged hit-and-run streets away from his home after a night out with friends
- James Travers, 32, struck by a vehicle at a junction in Geelong South, Victoria
- It is believed the man was just streets away from home he shared with girlfriend
- The man was on his way home from a night out when he was hit at about 3.15am
- Close ones have paid tribute to a ‘gentle man’ with ‘a big heart’ and a ‘good fella’
The family of a carpenter who died in a hit-and-run collision on his way home from a night out have paid tribute to a ‘gentle man’ with a ‘big heart’.
James Travers, 32, was struck at a residential intersection in Geelong South, Victoria at about 3.15am by a vehicle – which police say did not stop at the scene.
It is believed the man was a matter of streets away from the home he shared with his girlfriend when he was hit at the corner of Yarra Street and Verner Street.
The family of James Travers, 32, believed to be a carpenter, who died in a hit-and-run collision on his way home from a night out have paid tribute to a ‘gentle man’ with a ‘big heart’
Mr Travers’ (pictured left) mother told The Sunday Herald ‘I’m shattered, heartbroken, he was my baby’
A carpenter was killed in an alleged hit-and-run collision as he walked home from a night out (scene and police tape pictured)
His mother went to the scene of his death on Sunday afternoon, according to The Sunday Herald.
‘I’m shattered, heartbroken, he was my baby,’ she told the publication.
‘He had a big heart.’
One resident on Yarra Road, where the street was still closed off by police at about midday on Saturday, told Daily Mail Australia his death was especially sad given the proximity to Christmas.
Another family friend at the scene said the carpenter was a ‘generous guy – a really good fella’.
Another resident in the residential area in South Geelong said police officers told them the person who died did not live in the area.
Police told Channel 9 the driver could not have hit the carpenter without knowing it was a pedestrian.
Inspector McGregor said the man had been out with friends and added it was a ‘terrible time of year’ for the incident to occur.
Police are meanwhile searching for the driver of the vehicle (pictured CCTV of the vehicle police are searching for), which they believe to be a white Merceded Vito van fitted with roof racks and a side decal
‘Unfortunately for some reason he’s on the side of the road and been hit by a car,’ Insp McGregor said according to the Herald Sun.
Police are meanwhile searching for the driver of a white Merceded Vito van fitted with roof racks and a side decal.
Authorities have also released CCTV footage of a vehicle driving through a level crossing in order to trace it.
Authorities are searching for the vehicle involved and said it would be damaged down the passenger and front side (police inspecting scene pictured)
Authorities are searching for the vehicle involved (pictured CCTV of the vehicle police are searching for) and said it would be damaged down the passenger and front side
Authorities are searching for the vehicle involved and said it would be damaged down the passenger and front side.
It would be missing a window, police said.
207 lives have now been lost on Victorian roads in 2018 with just over a week left in the year, compared to 247 in 2017.