Car seized following hit run which left girl 13 in coma 20171108 p5w0ll.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Ports being monitored amid fears hit-run driver will flee country

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Every Victorian port is being monitored amid fears a hit-and-run driver of Asian appearance, who struck a teenage cyclist in Melbourne, may flee the country.

Investigators on Tuesday seized a dark grey BMW, which is believed to be linked to Sunday night's crash, in Braybrook in the city's west.

The 13-year-old girl, who wasn't wearing a helmet, was hit while crossing the road at Bell and Sussex streets in Coburg about 8pm and she remains in an induced coma at the Royal Children's Hospital.

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The driver stopped briefly, before fleeing the scene.

Authorities are closely monitoring airports, seaports and train stations to prevent a repeat of the Puneet Puneet culpable driving case, where a young Indian man fled Australia while on bail after killing a man in 2009.

"We're working with the federal police to make sure that we know who's leaving and who's not leaving," Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

"Every port of leaving Victoria is being watched."

The alleged driver has been given a "last chance" to "show some remorse" to stop evading police and hand herself in.

"We know we're really close to making an arrest in this matter," Det Insp McGregor told Channel Seven.

"This is probably the last chance this driver has to do the right thing."

Forensic examiners are investigating whether the dark grey 1 Series BMW, discovered at the back of a residential and commercial laneway in Melbourne's west, is the one witnesses said fled the crime scene.

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Police believe the vehicle involved would have suffered damage to its passenger side, front windscreen, front bumper, external mirror and headlights.

Police believe the on-the-run driver is a woman aged in her early 30s, of Asian appearance with shoulder-length dark hair.

She may be in the company of a man also described as Asian and in his 30s, police say.

A public tip-off helped police locate the car and investigators believe the woman lives near where it was found.

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Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer on Monday urged the driver to hand themselves in.

“To leave the scene of an accident when you've got a young girl fighting for life, that's not the Australian way,” he said.

“There is absolutely no doubt that the person who hit this young girl, the 13-year-old girl, were fully aware that they just hit a 13-year-old girl on a bike.”

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