Hit and Run - What to Do Next? Please Help

Gillawarna87 on 18/01/2019 - 22:02
Last edited 22/01/2019 - 23:13 by 1 other user

Hey guys, sorry long post. But I need advice.

So about two months ago my mum was driving me to the station, it was 6.30am and we were going through a roundabout. A car completely smashed into us from the left. The impact was so severe that I was covered in a smattering of glass in the passenger side and my poor mum lost control and the car hit a pole on the other side (damage to both sides to our car). Luckily we were both fine, but the car was badly damaged obviously and eventually became a writeoff. The idiot bro who hit us, stopped to see if we were okay, but did not admit fault and as soon as I started taking pictures of the damage, he ran back to his car and screeched away. I had glass in my shoes and I couldn’t take a picture of the number plate. I called the police and made a report instead. This all happened within 7 minutes. My mum were in shock and didn’t even realised what was happening until he drove away. There was another man and his son who witnessed the entire situation (I have his mobile).

Luckily I realised that the pictures I had taken of MY car, had his car in the background - but I cannot decipher the number plate. I gave the pictures to the local police and a brief statement at the scene (but my mum who was driving had left at this point and it wasn’t a thorough statement, they said they would contact us later). This all happened two months ago. I haven’t heard from them at all until today when I received and email that said:

“At present, all searches using multiple variants and partial inputs have not been succesful in identifying the vehicle. This includes having sorted through 700 potential variants of the number plate which I am sure you can appreciate has taken a considerable amount of time. Unforunately, this means our options in terms of further lines of investigation are limited and may ultimately result in no driver being located.”

I find this to be a bit bizarre because my mum and I were never contacted by the police about making a statement, or asked for a description of the hit and run guy, or asked for the witness details (which I have). My car picture of his number plate isn’t the best but you can deffos see the first two digits of his number plate? (I didn’t know how to attach the pic to this post sorry).

Edit: https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/156244/66041/09c2b76e-…

What do I do next? Some advice would be really helpful! Thank you everyone.

UPDATE: Thanks for everyone’s help and everyone’s support. Especially Tech 5, who cracked the rego for me. So just to be clear, when the accident happened two months ago, I tried calling the police station several times to give the Constable who saw me at the scene, let’s call him X, the two variations of number plate everyone is mentioning on this thread (al00wy and al00vy) because that is also what I deciphered but I kept being fobbed off by different police officers in each call, telling me that they would email the Constable X about my calls. In one call, a much more helpful police officer did punch in both number plates into their official system and he didn’t see anything with al00vy but when he put in al00wy he mentioned that the details of a “white truck” did come up but “please wait for ur Constable X to call you”. Eventually I got through to the Constable X in question after a week and he very rudely said that the police had their procedures to find number plates and he didn’t need to hear what I thought and when the time was right, he would take statements from me and my mother. He said things wouldn’t happen within a week or two. He was very harsh and rude to me (I guess his inbox was bombarded with messages from his colleagues that I had called asking for him). So I left it alone and waited for the police to contact me and they never did - absolutely ridiculous. Last Friday I received the email above saying that they didn’t find a match after trying 700 variants. This just made me mad, because this insane hit and run guy is ON THE LOOSE (see my poor car below - damage also on the other side!!)… so I came to OzB for help. The latest update is that he is back to work on the 28th January so I should call him then.

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/156244/66166/0844f572-…

Automotive Hit and Run

Comments

      • Dreamcast on 19/01/2019 - 20:21

        Who doesn't ;)

    • Banana on 19/01/2019 - 12:10
      +1

      Eyewitness misidentification is the greatest contributing factor to wrongful convictions.

      Photos > Easily manipulated human brains

    • Meconium on 22/01/2019 - 23:59

      Man there are some total morons out there. The hit and run has been solved without your helpful advice to suck it up and move on.

  • TiLLiCoMe on 19/01/2019 - 16:03

    Hope there is a happy ending

  • tomsco on 19/01/2019 - 19:11
    +1

    Good luck, OP.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2019 - 20:18
    +6

    You did the right thing contacting police.

    With what occurred, there is a good chance the vehicle was stolen or had fake plates etc, so identifying plate wouldn't necessarily be the perfect evidence.

    Unfortunately, in society that we live today this sort of thing does happen all too often. I had an accident, admitted fault straight away, told her I had insurance for damage to her vehicle and it would all be paid for. I was even going to offer her use of my car, because I felt sooo bad that her car was rooted, and mine was fine to drive away etc. Was my front bumper, hit her drivers door, so very bad damage to her vehicle, and practically none to mine, but most importantly everyone was OK.
    She seemed shocked that I admitted fault immediately and tried to rectify what I had accidentally done wrong She was like, keeping on thanking me kind of thing, for being so nice about it (I was just doing what was right, IMO) . I would have thought (hoped) that everyone would do what I did, but from how surprised and grateful she was, I would say she has had negative experiences with other drivers in at fault accidents.

    • liquid metal on 19/01/2019 - 21:58
      +2

      There are decent humans and there is scum.

    • Sigiriya on 19/01/2019 - 22:13

      Though what you did is ethically correct, it is wrong in the eyes of the insurance company. If you read the PDS I am sure it would say never admit the fault.

    • decr on 20/01/2019 - 10:30
      +4

      If that's true very good on you, I would do the same. Too many selfish idiots in the world these days. Hell for that comment alone I'd buy you a beer just to make the world a better place.

  • ajr5k on 19/01/2019 - 20:27
    +8

    Signed in specifically to say that on my phone, the picture clearly showed the numberplate AL-00-WY, however the crack team of investigators at OZB have already solved the case, gone home and put thier feet up. Nice work gang!

  • Herbse on 19/01/2019 - 20:58
    +2

    I've dealt with this before. If you want results you will have to chase it up with the police at nausea. Then have them supply the information to your insurance company.

    This stuff is super low priority to the police.

    • John Kimble on 19/01/2019 - 22:29
      +6

      Ad Nauseam

      • Herbse on 19/01/2019 - 22:45
        +4

        Thanks Detective John Kimble

        • Gillawarna87 on 19/01/2019 - 23:10

          Thanks guys. I have no doubt I will have to chase them up about this. Getting my payout from the insurer was insanely slow and ineffective - but getting some action from the police, omg, gonna be ridic

      • bmerigan on 20/01/2019 - 21:11
        +4

        LOL. "At nausea" is my new favourite saying

  • MrMoo on 19/01/2019 - 21:51
    +3

    Can you give us an update once you present what ozbargain has found (License plate etc) Obviously don't tell the cops a bunch of ozbargainers told you the license plate lol.

    Personally that license plate is almost clear as day in the photo you uploaded. AL 00 WY. At most they would have to check AL 00 WY and AL 00 VY but given the colour make and model of the car how hard is that?

    Seems like they didn't even try.

    • Gillawarna87 on 19/01/2019 - 23:09

      Thanks Moo. I will give u guys an update next week. Thanks for commenting.

    • Never Pay RRP on 20/01/2019 - 00:46
      +2

      It's almost certain they didn't even try. My mum was the victim of a hit and run, and the police gave her the address of the other person, and told her to sort it out herself…
      I almost didn't believe her until she told me she actually went to the other person's house, which I thought was a super dangerous thing to do (and super irresponsible of the police to suggest)

  • loropy9 on 19/01/2019 - 21:56
    +5

    I'd say this may be of interest to your local newspaper, if the police fails to show interest.

    • Never Pay RRP on 20/01/2019 - 00:48
      +1

      I agree, I've come across this sort of thing being reported quite often (the police apathy and incompetence part). Maybe there is a police protocol to "not care" about these sort of issues, but this is exactly the sort of thing that I expect the police to be actually working on

  • AliensStoleMyMoney on 19/01/2019 - 22:17
    +4

    gonna need a drawing in paint to show us more

    • Ridiculous Panda on 20/01/2019 - 01:04

      It’s time we all let this one end.

      • misterpotatomato on 20/01/2019 - 21:14
        +3

        We can, but only if you draw this request in paint.

  • DiscoJango on 19/01/2019 - 22:25
    +1

    i once saw a car on its roof at the roundabout near my place. people absaloutly fly through it. they get annoyed when i actually slow down and look to see if someone is coming that i should give way to.

  • Chewiebacca on 19/01/2019 - 22:53
    +11

    Police are useless, I had an older person hit my mechanics courtesy car while it was parked, caught the whole thing on a stores CCTV. I followed the person, who luckily stopped to fuel up, took photos of all the damage, his number plate, etc which all matched the CCTV, and the police said “sorry, the registered owner is a woman” (obviously his wife, who wasn’t present at the scene or in the footage) and wouldn’t help me.

    Good luck but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

    • Never Pay RRP on 20/01/2019 - 00:49
      +3

      So sad to hear your story, but we need to hold the police accountable to do their jobs. Please write in to your local MP to make a bigger issue out of this

    • lachhelix on 20/01/2019 - 04:12
      +6

      Tell me about… I sold a car and got paid with counterfeit $50 notes - went to the police armed with a copy of the person's drivers licence and the police said I still have to describe them (which I did) and said they'd call back to update me in a few days
      That was 2 years ago

      • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2019 - 10:37

        Omg so this never got resolved?!

        • lachhelix on 20/01/2019 - 16:40
          +3

          Nope. Called twice the next few weeks and they always promised to 'call me back'
          I drive past the guys house all the time and see the car parked in his driveway.
          It was only $500 (out of $1k total) but still, it's the fact they didn't seem to do anything about it that annoys me the most

      • rave75 on 22/01/2019 - 12:14
        +2

        My investment house was thrashed and there were clear signs of it being used to make drugs. Called police, they agreed, but they didn't even put a report in the system. My solicitor said that sometimes the police could have ties with some criminals and they won't pursue the matter further.

      • kronicmacstigator on 22/01/2019 - 23:45

        This is why I always get a spare made up (I have a key programmer) when I sell a car. Just in case I have to go pinch it back.

  • Maxxjet on 20/01/2019 - 00:27
    +4

    Write to your local MP, the police cannot just know how to issue traffic fines.

    • Tech5 on 20/01/2019 - 03:27
      +2

      Not really.

    • Hirolol on 20/01/2019 - 05:48

      It’s called proper Australian

    • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2019 - 10:34
      +2

      Lol really m8??

  • Seedy seed on 20/01/2019 - 07:05

    Al 00 vy

    • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2019 - 07:09

      AL 00 WY

      • Seedy seed on 20/01/2019 - 07:10
        +5

        Ill aloowy it.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2019 - 07:12
    +1

    I gave my own car number plate to police because the car was stolen. They caught the rider 14 days later speeding in a highway. 2 years later, the accused was sentenced to some days of community service without having to pay anything for the damages.

  • smpantsonfire on 20/01/2019 - 10:23
    +2

    Something isn't right here.

    Like me and the rest of Ozbargain, it took less than 5 seconds to come up with two combinations of could be. There's no way the police wouldn't have done the same.

    If it true that they couldn't have, then when op gave the photo to the police, it was in a way where the file lost quality, and the one they were looking at wasn't clear enough like it was for us.

    Just a thought

    • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2019 - 10:35

      Thanks for ur reply. But the Constable never called me or my mum for a statement at all. So if they couldn’t see the pic properly, I would have TOLD them.

    • Charity on 21/01/2019 - 17:48

      You can bet they still got paid

    • Never Pay RRP on 21/01/2019 - 18:18

      When you literally give them the exact number plate, the police still do nothing.
      No surprises here, the only thing that "isn't right" is that we still have to pay the police their salaries.

  • cyrax83 on 20/01/2019 - 10:39
    +4

    That license plate is pretty clear. That's pretty pathetic from the police

    • cdaddy on 21/01/2019 - 09:55
      +1

      It goes under the radar a lot, but sometimes the police actually are (profanity) useless and don't help.

  • grr1701 on 20/01/2019 - 10:44

    You can get a regcheck app for your phone for Queensland Rego numbers. It gives you the make, model and expiry date of the vehicle. There might be one for other states too. You have enough of the rego number to spend an hour or so trying the alternatives (using what is clear in your photo) and see if you get a match for the vehicle type. Then go back to the police and get them to check the car IF you find what you need. Good luck.

  • parsimonious one on 20/01/2019 - 11:45
    +17

    I once witnessed a car flip onto it’s roof and come to a stop blocking 2 lanes of traffic.

    Police were called and asked to attend and response was “what do you want us to do? You need to call a tow truck.”

    Apparently they are too busy to attend that sort of thing, but not too busy to hide behind poles and bushes trying to catch people exceeding the speed limit by 3km/h.

      • Tech5 on 20/01/2019 - 15:33
        +17

        Control traffic and make sure there aren't more accidents or people being hit? I.e. their job

      • kronicmacstigator on 23/01/2019 - 00:49

        Investigate, apportion blame and issue infringement notices as well as secure the scene

  • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2019 - 16:46
    +1

    Hi guys. Update. I have contacted my local member and I will let u know what happens. Thanks for everyone for their help.

    • solidussnake on 21/01/2019 - 14:40

      Good luck mate !!

    • Ghost47 on 22/01/2019 - 19:17

      Good to see you got in touch with your member. I hope your member is able to help satisfy you!

  • dannyboi on 20/01/2019 - 17:42
    +4

    I wonder if AL 00 WY = Alawi (surname)?

    • ChatCPT on 21/01/2019 - 09:28

      number plate check out

    • MementoMori on 21/01/2019 - 14:45

      Looks like Aloowy is an Arabic first name from a quick search on Facebook.

  • sim777 on 20/01/2019 - 20:52
    +5

    1+ for police being useless. Had a guy road rage against me and kicked the side of my car door in. He ran back to his car and drove off - I took pics of his number plate and went immediately to police. Made police report, my door also had a perfect shoe print from the guy, took photos of everything. Police told me that they won't/can't go to the vehicle's registered address or even contact him for questioning!- they said that they have to wait until he gets stopped for another reason (eg. speeding) before his file reads that he is wanted for questioning! I called the police monthly literally for the last year for updates. Literally the most frustrating thing…. Have comprehensive car insurance but to get the car door fixed I have to pay the excess unless the guy has been caught and an official court date can be provided to the insurance company…

    • Gillawarna87 on 23/01/2019 - 21:02

      That is BS. I hate hearing all these awful stories on this thread!

  • xuqi on 20/01/2019 - 21:11

    The other driver is probably a cop, hence why they sat on it for a while and then FOB'd you off.

  • No ONE on 20/01/2019 - 21:21
    +2

    Well, a car merged into my lane, accident happened and then they ran off. I gave the footage of the accident to police and never heard back. That was 7 months ago. Police are really hopeless.

    • Gillawarna87 on 23/01/2019 - 21:03

      So what did u do? Was ur car ok?

      • No ONE on 23/01/2019 - 21:28

        Minor dent to the front left bumper. Insurance still waiting for the police report…

  • mauricem on 20/01/2019 - 21:53
    -3

    Did anyone consider the police have already found and eliminated as a suspect the owner of the al00.. identified vehicle? Ie they had alibi, witnesses they could not have been there??

  • mauricem on 20/01/2019 - 21:54

    Edit dupe

    • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2019 - 21:56

      Thanks for commenting. Wouldn’t they tell me that though?

  • endotherm on 21/01/2019 - 00:41
    +14

    Sorry, but I see something else in that number plate…

    • bringbring on 22/01/2019 - 18:32

      Can't trust those cheapskates

  • Diverse on 21/01/2019 - 03:12

    I mean from the posts above with the regos and plates been reversed searched with ServiceNSW, they basically narrowed it down to the suspect.

  • Xetrok on 21/01/2019 - 10:32
    +4

    Alexxx (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/241992) has done you a solid with the Rego check link (https://my.service.nsw.gov.au/MyServiceNSW/index#/rms/freeRe…)

    AL00WY
    2006 WHITE MIT TRITON UTILITY

    Registration details
    The registration expires on 30 June 2019

    CTP insurance details
    The CTP insurance period end date is 30/06/2019
    Insurer's name:AAMI
    Insurer's code:26

  • RocketSwitch on 21/01/2019 - 12:03
    +2

    Sorry OP that this happened to you.

    Similar thing happened to me.

    Did what you did, but I had a number plate.

    Cops did nothing.

    He even said to me, "You're lucky you have me, I'm not like the other lazy shits in the office."

    Well, looks like he was, and now I have some insights to how they are.

    It's sad because, what else can you do if they do nothing?

    I have no more faith in the system.

    To further put salt in the wound, 2 cars were in the bus lane a few weeks ago, cop car ringing sirens was behind them beeping, red light, they couldn't move. Almost caused an accident, flies passed them. Probably going somewhere, but they broke the law, in front of everyone, and he did nothing. Disgusting.

    From now on, I am going to invest in dash-cams, both front and back.

    • Gillawarna87 on 21/01/2019 - 17:06

      I’m sorry u went through this. That sucks!

  • salmonroe on 21/01/2019 - 12:28

    As they say, OzBargainers are true professionals!

  • MementoMori on 21/01/2019 - 12:34
    -1

    AL OO VY or AL OO WY

    Can make it out easy.

    Is this a custom plate for NSW?

  • Gillawarna87 on 21/01/2019 - 13:13
    +3

    Hello everyone. So I called my insurance company and they said they can't do anything with the number plate details because the owner of the Mitsubishi Triton needs to have also lodged a claim with AAMI (why would a hit and run guy lodge a claim?!). They did ask for a police reference so I am trying to get in touch with the police about that (the police gave me a CAD number which is not sufficient for the insurer apparently).
    I have emailed back the constable with the info Tech5 gave me, but haven't heard back yet. Jesus, why is it so hard??

    • MementoMori on 21/01/2019 - 14:44
      +3

      That sounds like crap. I thought most insurers will follow up if you can provide a number plate.

      FYI don't shop on price, AAMI are terrible as shown in this example.

      • Bargain80 on 21/01/2019 - 16:26
        +2

        agree. It thought every insurer will be interested to find the car at fault so they potentially can get the full money back

        • Serapis on 22/01/2019 - 00:03

          Unless he/she only has 3rd party and not comprehensive

    • kronicmacstigator on 22/01/2019 - 23:43

      Ask for an internal investigation then go onto the ombudsman. It's a load of horse s*** from your insurance company

    • agam2104 on 31/01/2019 - 01:00

      Its police duty to investigate give the detail of the owner (rego search can take up to 90 days).Rest insurance will do by hiring their own private investigator and solicitor to retrieve money from the owner.

  • ShanB on 21/01/2019 - 14:56

    I hope this get sorted out soon OP.

  • Jbeam on 21/01/2019 - 16:14
    +1

    The Triton driver may have repaired their car by now and will deny being involved in your accident
    Hopefully your witnesses can also give police the driver's description (if they bother to ask for it)

  • hasher22 on 21/01/2019 - 16:37
    -1

    Number plate is AL 00 VY (Double zero)

    • John Kimble on 21/01/2019 - 17:13

      Close, but no cigar…

  • Cyphar on 21/01/2019 - 17:20
    -1

    but I cannot decipher the number plate

    AL-00-WY

    Run the details in a rego check. Data matches

  • Maxxjet on 21/01/2019 - 19:15
    +1

    OP, it may be time for you to do the below,
    https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/online_services/providing_feed…
    The police officer must be held accountable. Assuming it is in NSW, any other state or territories should have similar process.

    • Gillawarna87 on 21/01/2019 - 21:19
      +1

      Thanks for the link Allwins. I will definitely do that.

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