A mother has a died in hospital 11 days after an alleged hit-and-run crash, with police upgrading charges against the teen driver.
Tania Coad was struck by a vehicle near an intersection in Corio, a Geelong suburb, early in the morning of August 11.
Police allege the 18-year-old driver left the scene before emergency services arrived.
Ms Coad, 43, was taken to hospital but she died about 6pm on August 22.
The teen driver was initially charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, but police have since upgraded this to dangerous driving causing death.
Ms Coad’s family released a statement on Friday, saying words could not describe their devastation.
“Tania was friendly to everyone and a person with so much heart,” her family wrote.
“She was a beloved mother, daughter, sister and aunt.”
They asked for privacy and respect while the police investigation continued, and thanked emergency services staff for their help to try to save Ms Coad.
“A special thanks to the wonderful and compassionate ICU staff at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for caring for Tania in her final days,” her family wrote.
“We are so proud that Tania’s last gift was to donate her organs so that others can continue to live their lives.”
The driver will appear at Geelong Magistrates’ Court on December 3.
(AAP)
