Mother of teenager boy who was left with swelling on the brain after hit-and-run asks driver to come forward

The mother of a teenage boy who was left with swelling on the brain and facial fractures after a hit-and-run said she wants the driver responsible to listen to their conscience and come forward.

Artistic Josh German, 18, who has a love of photography, was cycling home when he was hit by a car, which failed to stay at the scene.

Josh's mother Jay said: "He's just a boy. Whoever hit him, it's got to be going around in their head.

"They must think about it. How can they not?

"It's not too late to come forward."

Josh was riding from his parents house in Balderton to his home in Newark when he was knocked off his bike, leaving him with swelling on the brain and breaks and fractures to all facial bones above the cheek.

The incident happened on Sherwood Avenue, Newark, at around 10.45pm on Tuesday, November 20.

Josh's 16-year-old brother was on his way home and passed the scene shortly after it happened.

Jay said: "My son got through the door and told me that on his way home he saw someone on the floor with serious injuries.

"I asked him if he stopped to help but he said the person had people crowding round them.

"Ten minutes later we had the police knocking on our door."

Josh remains in hospital, but Jay said he is improving.

"The swelling has gone down now," she said.

"His long term memory has improved a lot but he still struggles with his short term memory. He forgets a lot.

"The biggest change is with his personality.

"He has changed."

Jay said the experience continues to be difficult for the whole family.

Pc Richard Gettings, of Newark Police, said Josh was lucky to be alive.

He said that while the vehicle ­— understood to be a dark-coloured 4x4 with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel ­— initially stopped at the scene, it was then driven away.

"The driver had a duty to stop at the scene to see if Josh was OK and to stay with him, but didn't, which is quite callous," said Pc Gettings.

"Josh is lucky to be alive.

"We have carried out extensive CCTV inquiries but are yet to identify the vehicle and would like the help of the public."

Anyone who has information on the driver, or of the vehicle involved, or has noticed a dark 4x4 that has sustained recent front-end damage, is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 888 of November 20.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.