Rising footy star, 20, is killed in a hit-and-run crash after a function – as detectives investigate whether he was ‘accidentally struck by a teammate’
- Rising footy star, 20, has been killed in an alleged hit-and-run car crash
- Jordan Purcell was hit on Hall Street in Alexandra on Sunday morning
- It’s emerged the suspected driver could have been one of his teammates
- A 23-year-old man was interviewed and released pending investigation
- Tributes to the ‘amazing’ Mr Purcell have since been shared by loved ones
A rising footy star who was struck by a car and left to die on the road in a horrific hit and run crash was on his way to a friend’s house after a function with teammates.
Jordan Purcell, 20, was hit by a car in Alexandra, regional Victoria, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
He was found lying on the road with life-threatening injuries by a witness who was ‘very upset’, but died on the way to hospital after an ambulance was called.
In a disturbing twist, detectives believe the man may have been accidentally side-swiped by a teammate, according to 9 News.
Jordan Purcell (pictured) from Duneed, a southern suburb of Geelong, was allegedly hit by a vehicle on Hall Street in Alexandra in the early hours of Sunday morning
Emergency services attended the scene and despite the best efforts of paramedics Mr Purcell passed away while on route to hospital around 12.15am.
The man suspected of being behind the car that struck Mr Purcell was interviewed by police on Sunday but has since been released pending further investigation.
Another man, 20, handed himself into police soon after the accident was also released and is now being treated as a witness.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A Toyota Hilux believed to have been involved in the incident has also been recovered, Victoria Police confirmed.
A Toyota Hilux, believed to have been involved in the incident, has also been recovered (The image shows a vehicle similar to the one police have recovered)
Detective Sergeant Daryll said he couldn’t comprehend why a person would leave the scene of a crash, the Herald Sun reported.
‘I can’t understand why people don’t stop to help,’ he said.
‘People panic and there may be other reasons why they don’t stay at the scene or stop to help.
‘It surprises me every time people don’t stop to help somebody else.’
A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told the publication he had heard ‘screeching tyres’ just after midnight.
Detective Sergeant Daryll said he couldn’t comprehend why a person would leave the scene of a crash (Hall Street pictured)
The resident described the incident as an ‘absolute tragedy’ but noted it was not ‘unexpected’ because of the ‘hoon behaviour’ in small towns.
A friend of Mr Purcell has since spoken out to pay tribute to his ‘amazing’ friend.
‘My heart goes out to all your family, and those closely connected to your life Jords. You were such an amazing man and had such a ‘can do’ attitude,’ he said.
‘To be taken away from us so early is the worst but you’ve left us with the great memories that were had and the [kindhearted] nature that you had touched so many with.
‘My heart breaks to know you aren’t a message away anymore, that you are resting in a place that we all can share and mourn the life that you had…
‘It’s such a devastation to know that you are gone, but you are now at peace!
‘As much as it would of been nice to share another laugh and a drink with you, all I am left to do is cherish, how amazing you were, and the huge positive impact you created in my life I miss you so much man and cannot even express the emptiness and emotional pain I am feeling,’ he wrote.