Police are hunting a callous hit-and-run driver who mowed down a pregnant mum and her baby before leaving them for dead in the gutter.
Detectives have released heartbreaking images showing the one-year-old tot with nasty facial injuries lying in hospital with her mother.
The teenage girl, aged 17, and her daughter were struck by a car before being left in the road in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent on August 15.
It is believed two cars – a silver VW Jetta and a black Audi A7 – were involved in the collision and may have been racing each other at the time.
Residents rushed to the aid of the teenage mum, who has not been named, and her daughter Leila and they were taken to hospital with “life-changing” injuries.
On Thursday (7/9) Staffordshire Police issued a fresh appeal for information and released CCTV of the two vehicles involved in the smash.
Four men, aged between 26 and 33, were arrested in connection are have been bailed pending further investigations.
Detective Sergeant Adrian Webb said: “We suspect two vehicles were involved and are appealing for witnesses and CCTV such as dash cam or mobile phone footage.
“It is believed that the suspect vehicles travelled from Broad Street Hanley at 8.20pm through Stafford Street, up towards Cobridge traffic lights and onto Waterloo Road .
“The pedestrians were struck at approximately 8.30pm.
“It is suspected the vehicles involved are a silver VW Jetta and a Black Audi A7.
“We have done a considerable amount of work to-date and have arrested four suspects, including another re-arrest today, seized two cars and conducted searches at several premises.”
The VW Jetta was found abandoned on land off Nevada Lane, in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, the following day before it was forensically examined.
Det Sgt Webb added: “I am appealing to witnesses who were in the area at the time. Do you have dash cam footage or did you see the vehicles or drivers.
“I know that there were several witnesses at the scene so please make yourself known and help us make your community safer.
“It is pure luck that we are not investigating a fatality and I want to ensure that we explore all evidential opportunities to bring those responsible to justice and prove who was driving the suspect vehicles at the time.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident 780 of August 15.
