Police update 1: Police continue to appeal for witnesses and dashcam

The family of 77-year-old David ‘Michael’ Drommel critically injured in a hit and run at Mount Rascal on September 5, continue to conduct a bedside vigil and are urging witnesses to contact police.

Sergeant Stephen Coote from the Toowoomba Forensic Crash Unit said police continue to appeal for drivers with relevant dashcam footage to come forward.

“We believe Michael was struck sometime between 6.20am and 6.50am on Monday, September 5 before he was located lying unconscious on Freyling Road with life threatening injuries by a passing motorist around 7am,” Sergeant Coote said.

“We are appealing to anyone who travelled along Freyling Road between 6am and 7am that day to contact us. We are particularly interested in viewing any dashcam vision from that time frame.

“The vehicle involved would have sustained either front end or left hand side damage, so I appeal to anyone who is aware of a vehicle sustaining this type of damage on or ‘just after’ the 5th to come forward.

“Someone knows something and I urge them to do the right thing, for Michael and for his family. Now is not the time to stay silent.”

Michael was initially transported to Toowoomba Base Hospital before being airlifted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Michael’s wife Debbie thanked the first responders involved.

“The family would like to thank the wonderful man that stopped and called for help, the doctors and nurses from Toowoomba and Princess Alexandra Hospitals, the rescue helicopter crew, the wonderful paramedics and also the police for not giving up on finding the person responsible,” Mrs Drommel said.

“Michael has always been a rock for his family and we are beyond belief that someone could hit him and leave for dead on the side of the road.

“Michael only buried his 96-year-old mother a few weeks ago. This accident not only affects his family in Toowoomba but his three sisters and their families in Melbourne.

“Michael’s beloved dog was also injured and spent 10 days in the vets.”

Anyone with any knowledge of this incident or relevant dashcam vision from the times mentioned above is urged to contact police.

Previous release: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2022/09/05/appeal-for-information-man-critical-following-hit-and-run-mount-rascal-toowoomba/


Mount Rascal hit and run - injured man

Mount Rascal hit and run - scene photo

Mount Rascal hit and run - satellite photo of area

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

/Public Release. View in full here.