Thieves flee after hit and run leaves 79-year-old driver for dead

What began as a routine trip quickly turned into a harrowing experience for one senior. The incident has since drawn public concern and renewed focus on the safety of older Australians on the road.

A quiet afternoon for 79-year-old Stanley Parkes was meant to be a simple outing—a quick drive to the local shops to pick up some cereal. But in a split second, his life was turned upside down.

As he crossed an intersection, a stolen Haval SUV—reportedly running a red light at high speed—smashed into his Subaru. 

The impact was so severe that witnesses estimate the SUV was travelling at least 80km/h. Mr Parkes was left battered and bloodied, his quick errand turning into a terrifying ordeal.

‘If I would’ve been a bit further out, I would’ve been dead, dead as anything,’ Mr Parkes reflected, still shaken by the ordeal. The crash left him with a head injury and his beloved car—a vehicle he’d taken great care of—completely destroyed.

Perhaps most distressing of all, the two occupants of the stolen SUV didn’t stop to help. Security cameras captured them fleeing the scene, leaving Mr Parkes alone and injured. 

‘They just left an old man, a senior man just helpless and didn’t even check to see if he was OK either,’ said witness Kristee Heyden, echoing the outrage felt by many in the community.

Despite the trauma, Mr Parkes, who lives in Logan, south of Brisbane, is now appealing to the public for help in tracking down the offenders. ‘He sort of come and veered in on me, ya know? And I couldn’t go anywhere from there,’ he recounted. ‘I was just stuck and he took the whole front of me car with him. I thought, ‘God! No car no more.’ It was in good condition, that car of mine too.’

In the wake of the incident, there’s been a heartwarming outpouring of support for Mr Parkes. Locals have banded together, raising funds to help him replace his car and get back on his feet. 

‘A little bit of good news out of a really bad sad story,’ said Ms Heyden. Mr Parkes, touched by the kindness of strangers, added, ‘I can’t ask for any nicer people than that.’

Unfortunately, Mr Parkes’ experience is not an isolated one. Queensland, like many parts of Australia, has seen a worrying rise in car thefts and reckless driving incidents.

While the actions of the offenders were reprehensible, the response from the Logan community has been a powerful reminder of the good in people. For older Australians, stories like Mr Parkes’ are a sobering reminder to stay vigilant—but also a testament to the support networks that can spring up in times of need.

What are your thoughts on the current state of road safety? Have you or someone you know experienced a similar situation? What more can be done to protect older Australians on our roads? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

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