UPDATE: Police in Brisbane have seized a car linked to fatal hit-and-run that killed a young woman celebrating her 20th birthday.
Ashleigh Humphrys was walking home from her birthday celebrations when she was struck by a car near the Toowong roundabout early on Sunday morning.
“We’ve seized a vehicle, which is currently undergoing scientific investigation,” a police spokesperson said.
“The owner is assisting police with their inquiry.”
CCTV footage had shown a dark sedan mounting the footpath before swerving back onto the road, but police would not confirm if it was the same vehicle.
Previously we reported:
Ashleigh Humphrys was celebrating her 20th birthday on Saturday night.
It should have been a night of joy and laughter – a milestone marking the beginning of a long and happy adulthood.
But it ended in tragedy – and police are now hunting the driver of a car that took her life.
Nine News reports that Ashleigh Humphreys was hit by a dark coloured sedan just before 4am while walking along the Western Freeway at Toowong.
It is reported that she had been seen arguing with a friend near a service station and made the fateful decision to walk home alone.
Sadly a security guard had approached her concerned about her welfare as she seemed inebriated and was on the phone to police when she was struck.
“(He believed) she was either a danger to herself or to other road users. So while he’s on the phone talking to police and driving around trying to locate her exact location the driver found her deceased on the roadway,” Inspector Rob Graham said last night in a media conference.
“It’s a terrible, terrible tragedy.”
Police say that two taxis had stopped in the middle of a roundabout and placed their hazard lights to warn others when the dark sedan swerved between them mounting the footpath and hitting Ms Humphrys.
Several CCTV cameras reportedly show what happened in the moments before she was hit.
Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward and have pledged to find the driver of the sedan.
“Come forward and tell us your side of the story,” Inspector Rob Graham said “Not only for your own conscience but also for the family and the purposes for the coronial report. It’s very important we hear your side.
“We want to put pressure on the driver and let him know that we’ve got CCTV footage and our preference would be for him or her to come forward and give us the information.”
Police have indicated they may release the CCTV footage today.
Nine News reports that the distressed family of Ms Humphrys attempted to visit the scene last night but were turned back by the terrible weather.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Top Comments
Who lets their friend walk home alone at night ever, regardless of whether sober or not? This is my neighbourhood and while it is fairly "safe" i would never let any of my friends walk home alone. I would call them a cab. And on her birthday celebrations? Why wasn't she having maccas at milton with her friends and then waking up with her friends??
That poor girl. This is a perfect example of our ridiculous drinking culture. Don't leave your mates alone when they are that drunk.