Man charged after alleged hit and run

A man has been charged after an elderly man was injured in Bankstown, in Sydney’s south-west.

Augusto Benitez, 88, was struck by a car as he crossed the road at a roundabout on the corner of Eldridge Road and Northram Avenue at 7.30pm yesterday.

The driver then allegedly drove from the scene, failing to stop and help.

Mr Benitez was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition.

His neighbour of 10 years, Ted Tregear, said the elderly man migrated from Chile as a young man and had no family living locally.

“As you get older you need someone to look out for you,” Mr Tregear said.

Another neighbour, Kistammi Meni, who’s been doing odd jobs for Mr Benitez, today visited him in hospital, where he’s now in a stable condition. 

Local residents told 9NEWS Mr Benitez was diagnosed with dementia, lived alone and would often walk to the shops to buy vanilla slice and milk.

A 24-year-old man attended Bankstown Police Station today and was arrested.

He has been charged with negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury, drive furiously in motor vehicle causing bodily harm, and negligent driving.

He has been granted conditional bail and will appear in court on April 4.