Haverhill woman fights for justice after brother hurt in suspected hit and run in Ehringshausen Way

The heartbroken sister of a man injured in an alleged hit and run has vowed ‘never to give up’ until the driver of the vehicle is found.

Emily Luccarini, 33, of Haverhill, said she has been ‘doing all she can’ to help with the investigation into the incident which left her brother, Joe, with a broken neck, cuts, bruises, grazes and severe concussion.

Joe, 31, who lives with autism, was walking home from a barbecue on August 12 when he was reportedly hit by a car on Ehringshausen Way, on August 12.

It was one of the rare times he goes out socialising.

The driver involved in the collision, which was between 11.15pm and 11.30pm, has not been traced and police are appealing for witnesses.

Emily, a carer, said: “Joe is still severely concussed and still suffers memory loss and confusion.

“He also suffered complications from the fracture, as well as cuts and bruises, top to toe.

“He is a gentle giant, extremely kind, generous and would help anyone. We have worked so hard with him all his adult life, encouraging him to go out, to socialise; that the world is not a bad place and that he doesn’t have to be scared.

“This will undo all the work that he has received from us and support workers. Physical injuries heal but mental ones don’t.”

The incident happened while Joe was just two minutes away from home, where he lives with mum, Julie, and dad, Ricardo.

Emily said: “My friend had been talking to him on the phone and then called me to say that she thought Joe had been hit by a car, and where he was.

“It was just a few minutes away and I went straight there.

“It was heartbreaking to see him lying in the road, covered in blood and hardly conscious.”

“Staff from nearby Lidl called for help and it seemed like an age waiting for the ambulance.

"At the hospital, the doctor said Joe had broken his neck, a C1 fracture, and it was a miracle his spinal cord was unharmed.”

Police have appealed for any witnesses, or anyone who was driving in the area with a dashcam footage during the time of the accident

Emily added: “Since the accident, I have been appealing for any witnesses and visiting shops in the area for CCTV footage as I am determined the person who was driving the car is found.

“I don’t have any words for them. The person who did this is just inhumane. To leave him there lying in the road, is just cruel and heartless and despicable.

“It’s not just the physical recovery that Joe will struggle with, it’s the mental recovery.

“Because he is autistic he is very sensitive, his perception of the world is different from ours, and it’s just heartbreaking”

“As soon as I put out an appeal on Facebook, messages started flying into my inbox from people trying to help and local business saying I can look at their CCTV.

“I won't stop until this person is found. I will not allow it go away until the person is caught.”

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said they were called to the scene by paramedics who believed Mr Luccarini had been hit by a car.

The spokesperson said: “The car involved did not stop and so officers are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who was driving in the area with a dashcam in their vehicle, to check the footage for anything that may be of assistance.”

Anyone with information can call Haverhill police on 101, quoting reference: 45772/24 or email Joanne.Reynolds1@suffolk.police.uk or visit www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us.

The spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing.