Damodar Shrestha, a 79-year-old grandfather who was visiting his family in Australia, has been identified as the victim of an alleged hit-and-run crash at Melonba, in Western Sydney, about 11.45pm on Sunday.
There are no indications the driver slowed down or stopped, according to NSW Police, who say they are still searching for the “callous” alleged offender.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Family mourn grandfather after hit-and-run in Sydney’s west.
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Damodar, a Nepalese national, was on Abell Rd when he was struck from behind by a car travelling east, just before 11pm.
He was found half an hour later and, though NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived to treat him, died at the scene.
He had been jogging after celebrating his daughter’s 25th wedding anniversary, 7NEWS understands.
Damodar’s daughter Sagun Shrestha described her father as a “loving father, husband, and source of inspiration for his grandchildren.”
“He always looked after us,” she said.
NSW Police are still searching for the culprit, and have released CCTV footage of the suspect’s car — a dark-coloured sedan.
“There was no intention to brake or, indeed, slow, and check on the welfare of the jogger … fairly callous act,” NSW Police inspector Michael Walsh told reporters.
“It’s only a matter of time before we identify the vehicle.”
The speed limit on Abell Rd, which doesn’t have any footpaths, is 50kmph.
But one local told 7NEWS: “People use this (road) as a drag strip during the nighttime … it’s very unfortunate what happened.”
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting expressed his condolences to Damodar’s family in a statement on Monday.
He also said that the council had been in touch with a number of residents about the upcoming build of a new footpath on the road where Damodar died.
“We have advised them that footpath construction in this area is scheduled to commence soon,” he said.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.