But on the way, he became ill, and collapsed in the southbound curb lane. A driver saw him, made a U-turn and began urging him to get up, Carty said. Sookramsingh was just getting to his feet when another southbound driver struck in.

Investigators said Sookramsingh was struck by a 2003 to 2007 Toyota Corolla and the car would have had minor damage to the right front end. Carty said records show there are "well into the thousands" such vehicles registered in Brampton.

"It's kind of akin to looking for a needle in a pile of needles," he said.

Witnesses reported the young man being thrown 20 metres after being struck. He suffered multiple broken bones, including as well as facial and internal injuries and remains in hospital.

"My pelvis is broken in three pieces, my hip shattered in 26 pieces. I breathe but I can't breathe deeply because there's a hole in my lung," he said. "I have no feeling in my feet, but I can move them, luckily."

He said doctors have told him his road to recovery will take at least two years.

But he's grateful to be alive, and thanked the driver who stopped to help him, crediting him with saving his life. The man had recently lost a foot, so he was unable to get out of his car, and he witnessed the entire collision. He stayed for hours afterward, and has been helping police, but he feels guilt that he should have done more, Carty said.

"I may not have the life that I wanted, but I'm thankful to be alive," Sookramsingh said.

His mother Anita said she doesn't want the driver to get into trouble, but she is angry.

"Stand up to your responsibility," she said to the unknown driver. "Accidents happen, this was an accident, but leaving him there to die was a choice, that was not an accident."

She urged the driver to turn himself/herself in, and until they do, she has a hard time forgiving.

Her son doesn't have any insurance, and he has a lot of medical bills, including therapy he needs that will not be covered by OHIP, she said. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family. His mother is a single mother with four children.

Police are urging the unknown driver to speak to a lawyer and contact police.

Carty said the decision to bring Sookramsingh to the news conference to "humanize" the incident and urge the community to come forward and help. He said if someone has seen a neighbour come home with a damaged Toyota Corolla or a neighbour's Corolla has disappeared for a time around March 17, to call and "we'll do the rest."

Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident are asked to call investigators at 905-453-2121 ext. 3710. Anonymous information can also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.



