Family calls for hit-and-run driver to step forward
Jan 9, 2014, 9:32 PM | Updated: 9:33 pm
PHOENIX — The family of a Tempe man who was badly injured in a hit-and-run is calling for whomever is responsible to step forward.
“I would definitely like to know who did this, and left my nephew, Dustin, on the side of the road for dead,” said Christine Simon-Blackmore, the aunt who said she raised the victim. “It’s not right. We’re just asking for help to find the driver of this vehicle.”
Dustin Kalkbrenner, 24, was struck on Dec. 27 on University Drive and Ash Avenue. Despite the incident happening at 3 p.m. in a busy intersection, police have no leads.
“We have surveillance video that shows there was a passenger in the vehicle and we’re confident that either the passenger or the driver has mentioned this accident to someone else,” said Tempe Police Sgt. Michael Pooley. “We’re hoping that somebody will be able to come out and give us some information.”
Police have surveillance video that shows Dustin Kalkbrenner riding his skateboard and also the suspect vehicle, a silver Nissan Xterra, moments before the accident.
“He was a very happy child growing up, happy teenager, happy adult…he just wanted to appease everybody,” said Simon-Blackmore. “He would give you the shirt off his back or his last dollar. Anything to make your day better.”
Anyone with information on the hit-and-run is asked to call the Tempe Police Department at (480 )350-8311 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
