THE dad of a teenage cyclist left with brain bleed following a hit-and-run has demanded the driver faces justice.
Harvey Aitken, 16, was “left for dead” after he was struck by a car while cycling in Wharfdale Road in Tyseley, South Birmingham, on July 9 at around 11.35pm.
Cops have said the lad was in hospital for three weeks and although he survived, he has struggled with a speech impediment and memory loss from the injuries.
It could take him at least two years to recover.
Harvey’s dad, Andrew Aitken, has called for witnesses to the crash to come forward in a bid to find the driver.
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He said: “We as his parents feared for his life and it has been such a battle for the family unit as a whole.
“I am appealing to anyone who saw or heard anything that night to please contact the police because the person responsible needs to be brought to justice.
“They left our 16-year-old son lying in the road for dead.
“Thankfully Harvey is a strong lad and a survivor but this incident has had a profound impact on his life.”
Police want to speak to two people – the motorist who struck the teenager and shortly pulled up afterwards and another one who appeared to flash the driver in question.
They both drove off afterwards.
Cops are urging both motorists to come forward with information about the incident.
Dad Andrew also spoke about the horrifying moment he got a phone call in the early hours which was “every parents’ worst nightmare”.
Andrew said: “When I received the phone call at 3am that morning my heart sank, it is every parents' worst nightmare.
“The whole family has been impacted by this incident, including Harvey's five siblings who were distressed to hear what had happened to their brother.”
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“Harvey has suffered a severe brain trauma as a result of this hit-and-run and we have been told it will take up to two years for him to fully recover.”
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “We're appealing for information after a teenager sustained serious head injuries following a hit-and-run collision in Birmingham.
“We'd urge the driver of vehicle one to do the right thing and come forward to explain exactly what happened.
“We'd also ask the driver of vehicle two to contact us as they may have vital information which can help us trace the car and who was behind the wheel.”
