New driver not hurt but unhappy after hit-and-run

Young driver Kalani Vanisi is upset a white Toyota which hit his beloved 1992 Mercedes-Benz sped...
Young driver Kalani Vanisi is upset a white Toyota which hit his beloved 1992 Mercedes-Benz sped off without stopping. PHOTO: CHRISTINE O’CONNOR
A young Dunedin driver says he is "pissed off" after his cherished Mercedes Benz was severely damaged when he was T-boned in a hit-and-run collision in St Kilda.

Kalani Vanisi (16) said he was driving to school on Wednesday for just the second time after getting his restricted licence when he was sideswiped by a white Toyota minivan at the intersection of Ajax St and Richardson St about 8.30am.

The driver appeared to be a woman with dark hair, but he was unable to catch any other details.

Although the incident was reported to police there was little that could be done as nobody at the scene saw the Toyota’s licence plate.

He said the incident wrecked his day and he was left disappointed and angry.

"I wouldn’t care if they just stopped and owned up to it," he said.

He was hopeful that the person would be found.

He had been looking forward to being able to drive himself to school since getting his learner’s licence six months ago.

He described his Mercedes as "really nice". It was his first car and he had got his restricted licence on Monday last week.

A witness to the crash said the white vehicle was stopped at a stop sign but it accelerated quite quickly and collided with the Mercedes.

The Toyota then sped off towards Prince Albert Rd.

Kalani’s mother, Maire Bouman Morgan, said she was "absolutely gutted" to hear about the accident, but she was glad only the car was damaged and her son was unhurt.

She was upset the driver of the other vehicle did not bother to stop and check on her son.

The insurance company said the Mercedes was probably a write-off, but her husband would probably fix the car out of love, she said.

oscar.francis@odt.co.nz

 

Advertisement