LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — A family seeks justice for their loved one who is in critical condition after a hit and run with a driver who left the scene and is still on the run.

On June 4 Christine Francis said her family received horrific news that her brother Donald Francis, 60 was hit while walking along Doucet Road near Red Lerille’s Health and Racket Club to catch the city bus on Johnston St. to head to work. She said he is currently in critical condition; fighting for his life. 

“It’s just hard because they hit him and left him laying down like he was a dog. An animal. Even though you could still stop and check on him,” said Christine. 

She said her brother has no kids but he is a sweet person who would give his very last. She describes him as on-going and loves doing what he loves including playing dominos, cards and being around his many family and friends.

News 10 spoke with Sgt. Robin Green, the public information officer for the Lafayette Police Department about the latest on the case. 

She said authorities were called around 6:07 a.m. June 4 in reference to a pedestrian possibly being hit by a vehicle. She said when officers arrived they found the victim who at that time was suffering from moderate injuries and really couldn’t give much information because he couldn’t even recall what exactly happened. 

“Our officers on scene did an investigation for a hit and run that possibly occurred and so in the roadway around the area where the victim was located, there were vehicle particles in the road,” Green said. “As part of the investigation once it was assigned to our hit and run investigator, they can take some of the vehicle parts that were left at the scene and they can run serial numbers that are located on the parts.” 

Authorities know that the vehicle that was involved because of the parts that were located, belonged to a Toyota Camry. 

“It was just unfortunate that there were no cameras in the 300 block of Doucet Road where we could go back and possibly find the exact scene of where it occurred and see what exactly happened.” Green said. “So what our investigators did, they found other cameras within the area to see if they could locate a vehicle, a Toyota Camry, possibly driving in that area or gone towards where the incident occurred. They weren’t able to locate any Toyota Camry. They watched hours worth of video and were not able to locate a vehicle of that making model going in that area where the victim was located.”

Sgt. Green said authorities have exhausted all of their leads and the case is currently suspended. It’s not closed, it’s just suspended pending more information. She added, until the victim’s memory starts to come back and he can provide police with more information, then it’ll provide them with more leads to look into. The family expressed they are distraught and hope the person responsible turns themselves in. 

“Nobody deserves a life like this just to leave a person there and on the ground for hours to die, that is not [right],” said Christine. 

If anyone might have any information about the incident on June 4th that they may have witnessed or know of anything, they are urged to contact Lafayette Police Department at 337-291-8600 or CrimeStoppers so authorities can give closure to the victim’s family.

In addition, Sgt. Green said if Francis’ condition worsens the charges would be upgraded. She said the police force hopes for the best and he is able to make a full recovery.

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