The family of the victim from last week's hit-and-run accident in Bradford are appealing for the public's help in the ongoing investigation.
It was just before 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 that 65-year-old Bradford woman Jesuina Pereira was struck twice by two different vehicles at Holland Street West and West Park Avenue.
The first vehicle that struck the pedestrian is believed to be a white SUV, possibly a Range Rover 2014-2017. "That vehicle was the initial vehicle that struck the pedestrian when she crossed the road. That vehicle conducted a U-turn and fled on Holland Street at a high rate of speed," said Phillips.
Phillips said the initial strike propelled Pereira approximately 10-15 feet.
The second vehicle is a grey sedan that struck the pedestrian while she lie on the roadway and fled southbound on West Park Avenue after it struck the pedestrian.
"We are confident that both drivers are aware that they struck a pedestrian and fled to flee prosecution," said Phillips.
Pereira was transported to a local hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries and has been transferred to a Toronto trauma centre where she is in stable condition recovering from her injuries.
"As you can imagine there is serious trauma to the body," said Phillips.
Police have released photos of the suspect vehicles for the public to help identify the owners or operators.
Police are following up with residents of the community and reviewing all surveillance footage.
"Each piece of surveillance footage leads us to another direction of travel and a further breadcrumb trail of digital evidence left behind by both perpetrators," said Phillips.
Police are following up on the events before and after the collision in order to identify the drivers.
The family of the victim appealed for the public's help and urged the perpetrators to come forward.
"We ask that you do the right thing and please come forward, you have put a hinder on our family because our mom is not what she used to be, so come forward please" said the victim's son, Rick.
"She's a mom, a grandmother," said Rick's teary-eyed wife Rita, "We are all worried about her and want her back home."
The emotional victim's husband Joe could barely speak but pleaded for the public's assistance in helping with the investigation.
"Any tip regardless of how insignificant it may seem, we'd love to hear from the public, we feel the public can help us accelerate this investigation," said Phillips.
Anyone with information that can help in the investigation can contact South Simcoe Police at 905-775-3311 or 705-436-2141 or call CrimeStoppers.
