The woman charged in connection with the hit and run which
killed James Hill in Westport on Saturday has been remanded
on bail to reappear next month.
Jessica Gwen McNelis, 21, of Cape Foulwind, appeared before a
registrar today in the Westport District Court. She was
remanded on bail without an official plea to March 25. Her
lawyer, Doug Taffs, indicated McNelis, a farmhand, would
plead guilty to the charge of failing to stop and assist.
Police did not oppose bail as they wished to continue their
forensic investigations. More charges are likely. James Hill,
21, died early Saturday morning near the intersection of
Rintoul and Peel streets.
His father, Colin Hill, wants to know what really happened.
He said police could have communicated more with him.
"I ring them and they don't tell you anything." Instead he
had resorted to listening to local rumour, and had read media
reports there might have been a fight at the party his son
had attended before he died.
"I'm starting to think, what happened? What's really
happened?"
He reiterated his earlier comments that the accused did not
deserve to be on bail.
Mr Hill knew McNelis' family, but said they had not
apologised or sent a card.
He could not comprehend how any driver would not stop after
hitting a person.
Mr Hill and his partner also have a young daughter and are
expecting another child, a boy, in June.
