Kurtis Saunders,41,was walking his dog on Cygnus Close in Doonside when he allegedly got into an argument with neighbour Corey Porter,29,who also had a dog with him,on Monday night.
Two people are recovering in hospital after an alleged hit-run believed to have been sparked by a neighbourhood dispute.
Detective Superintendent Darren Newman said police later found Saunders and his partner,Jodie Robertson,hurt in a “horrible scene” when they responded to reports of a hit-and-run about 8.50pm.
Newman said Robertson,42,suffered a head trauma and bruising,and Saunders’ injuries – which included broken ribs,leg fractures and “significant” dislocations around his ankles – were “very difficult and confronting for those who responded”.
He said the two men had been involved in a “verbal altercation” about their dogs,during which Porter had allegedly threatened Saunders with an axe.
Saunders allegedly returned home,where he told Robertson and her daughter,18,about the dispute. The two women had driven to Porter’s house,where they had argued before he drove off.
Porter later returned home in his Ford Territory,allegedly threatening Robertson and Saunders,who had gone back to the house.
Newman alleged Porter then “reversed the car[and] revved that vehicle a number of times very aggressively” before driving into the couple and “causing significant injuries to both of them”.
Newman said CCTV footage had captured audio of “horrifying” screams after the alleged hit-and-run.
Neighbours said they overheard the trio arguing about a dog before the alleged incident. One neighbour told9 News they heard from bed “what sounded like a car driving past on the rims”.
CCTV footage from a neighbouring home shows the moment the car reverses into the front of the Doonside home. A loud crashing noise is heard before the car appears to take off at speed.
CCTV from the scene of an alleged hit-and-run in Doonside which left a woman with serious injuries and a man fighting for life.
Neighbours who rushed out of their homes found the couple lying in the street and called for help.
Paramedics took the couple to Westmead Hospital. Robertson was in a stable condition,while Saunders was undergoing surgery,on Tuesday afternoon.
Police set up a crime scene in the street and later found Porter nearby. He was arrested and was taken to Blacktown Hospital under police guard before he was released.
Police took him to Blacktown police station,where they charged him with using an offensive weapon with the intent to commit an indictable offence;causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent;assault occasioning actual bodily harm;failing to stop and assist after vehicle impact caused grievous bodily harm;and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He was refused bail and was due to face Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Newman said the alleged incident highlighted how “horribly wrong neighbour disputes can go”.
“These people have got lifelong injuries. I know the male,in particular,will need to have significant rehab over many,many years to recover from what happened to him last night.”
Robertson’s daughter,Shontae Robertson-Gundy,set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the couple’s costs and medical bills “so they can both focus on healing from their injuries”.
“Unfortunately last night,Monday 18th March 2024,my Mum Jodie Robertson[and] her fiance Kurtis (Kurt) Saunders were severely injured in a vehicular incident.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support,donations[and] for respecting our privacy during this time,” Robertson-Gundy wrote on the online fundraising page.