The wife and daughter of an Epping lollipop man, who was knocked onto the road in a hit and run, have appealed to the driver to come forward.
Jim Tzimas had just finished crossing a group of children and was removing flags before he was struck by a silver car on Findon Rd in Epping about 9am on Monday, February 22.
The collision caused the lollipop man to fall hard into the gutter and hit his head, before he was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital with his hip and upper body badly hurt, according to Nine News.
Police believe the female driver of the vehicle stopped about 100-200 metres up the road and paused for 10 seconds before taking off again.
Mr Tzimas’ wife, Vicki Tzimas, told the Herald Sun she and her daughter were still in shock over the incident.
“I feel sad for the person (the driver), but we’re just angry at how you can just leave a human being lying there,” Vicki told the media outlet.
“You don’t expect your loved one to go to work and not come back… We’re full of mixed emotions, a bit all over the place and we just want to know he’s going to be OK, that’s our main concern.”
The 58-year-old’s daughter, Elenni Tzimas, said she couldn’t believe her father could be injured while working for the community, adding that he was in a neck brace and could hardly move after the incident.
“For what he is going through with this, the physical and mental trauma, he deserves to have the bare minimum,” Elenni said.
“He was left in the gutter so I think the bare minimum they (the driver) can do is to come forward.”
Mr Tzimas worked at the crossing near Meadowglen Primary School and Mill Park Secondary College for 12 months. Elenni said he took up the role to help his mental health and had formed a strong connection with the school community.
“He really loves it and was excited to do it… so I hope he can get back and do what he loves,” Elenni told the Herald Sun.
Greensborough highway patrol Sergeant John Henderson said police would increase patrols and reinforce speed limits around local school crossings in the wake of the incident.
“He’s doing a community service and he should be safe while doing it,” he said.
Sgt Henderson also urged the driver to come forward and “give the family some sort of closure” over the incident.
Victoria Police are investigating the incident, with officers looking for a small silver or grey sedan with Victorian registration plates. Police believe the female driver was Caucasian, about 50 years old with light brown hair.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or CCTV is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
