‘Help me find the hit-and-run driver who left my son for dead’

Shattered dreams: Nathaniel Oyeleke is brain-damaged and cannot play football
David Churchill28 September 2016

The mother of an 11-year-old boy whose dreams of becoming a footballer were shattered by a hit-and-run driver today appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward.

Nathaniel Oyeleke, from East Dulwich, was struck by an Audi hatchback and left for dead by the side of the road near his school on March 25. The driver has never been caught. The boy underwent five hours of surgery at King’s College Hospital. He was in an induced coma for three weeks.

His mother, Matilda Leocaria, said her son was left brain damaged and no longer able to play football. Launching a £1,000 reward for information that she hopes will lead to the driver’s conviction, Ms Leocaria said: “To see him go through all this pain, it’s been terrible. I didn’t know whether he was going to be alive or not. If the driver is caught it ensures they don’t go unpunished and they are not out there to put other lives at risk. It’s about justice.”

The boy’s aunt, Olabisi Lambo, said: “The driver really needs to understand the impact of their reckless driving and the impact that it has had on people’s lives. Nathaniel’s lucky to be alive.

“They were not even going to perform the surgery because he was just lifeless after the collision. Then the surgeon saw his leg move a little and saw that there was still life in him.”

Nathaniel returned home from hospital in July following the smash, which occurred in Kingswood Road, Streatham Hill, at about 2.15pm as he crossed the road. A member of the public saw the collision and called an ambulance.

Ms Lambo said Nathaniel was now prone to bursting into tears and was most frustrated at no longer being able to play football. He had hoped to play professionally for Chelsea.

She said her nephew had struggled to walk again and had speech and learning skills difficulties. She added: “His development has been taken back a few years. He’s having to learn everything all over again. In terms of his education, he’s not where he should be.”

Martin Usher, an associate at BL Claims Solicitors, who has been working with the family, said: “Nathaniel and his family have been through a horrific ordeal and the effects of the crash will be felt for many years to come.”

Scotland Yard Detective Sergeant Andy Russell, who is leading the investigation, appealed for witnesses and the driver to come forward.

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8543 5157, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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