The family of a 16-year-old Auckland teen found dead in the early hours of Sunday morning have tearfully pleaded with the driver to come forward .
Esther Pakura, Jacob’s mother read a short statement to media this afternoon, appealing directly to the driver who killed their son.
"Why didn’t you stop?” Ms Pakura asked, supported by other members of her family.
"When you hit him you didn’t just hit Jacob, you hit his whole family."
She spoke about her son for the first time since the accident, describing Jacob as someone who "loved life, and loved living".
"He got along with everyone."
The teen was found unconscious on Glen Eden's Rua Rd just after midnight on Sunday and emergency services were unable to revive him.
His friends, who wished to stay anonymous say his skateboard was "something he always had with him".
"Anything can be dangerous but he was always very safe. If he heard a car he would move. He was always very safe about it and he never put himself into danger," said one girl.
"I hope people remember him like the great guy he was and not how he passed."
A blessing was performed at the scene of his death this afternoon, by Kaumatua Reverend Fred Holloway.
Waitemata police area commander Inspector Trevor Beggs said they are appealing to the public to come forward with information.
"We know Jacob received terrible injuries to his entire body" he said this afternoon.
He said any panelbeaters who have noticed anything suspicious, as well as the driver's friends and family, should come forward.
Officers are now appealing for anyone in the Rua Road area with CCTV footage to contact them.
The accident is believed to have happened on Saturday between 11.30pm and midnight.
"Several members of the public have called police with information and this is being assessed," a police spokeswoman said.
"The family of the victim are devastated and police and victim support are doing everything possible to support them during this time."
Police earlier asked family members, mechanics, panel beaters or handypersons who have been asked to fix a car that could have been involved in a crash, or if the driver seemed suspicious, to come forward.
Information can be provided on (09) 837 9511, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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