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Alex Mitchell

Family plea for justice as hit-and-run goes unpunished

Solomon Island man Argen Kuni was hit and killed by a car while walking to work in April last year. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

The family of a young father killed on his way to work in a shocking hit-and-run crash are still no closer to seeing justice.

Argen Kuni was 34 when he was hit by a car while walking to work at a poultry farm in Griffith, in western NSW, in April 2025.

No car stopped after the Solomon Islands national was hit on Wakins Avenue early in the morning, leaving two pedestrians to find him and call for medical assistance.

Mr Kuni's death has become a symbol of the sacrifices made by people arriving under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility, or PALM, scheme.

His heartbroken sister Margaret said the humble and loving family man sent money home, not only to support his family but his wider community.

"He came to Australia from the Solomon Islands to work and provide a better life for his wife and two sons back home," she said on Wednesday.

Police have released vision of a car of interest in the death of a pedestrian last year. (SUPPLIED/NSW POLICE)

"He was sending money home to fund the build of his family home, which he never got to enjoy. He was also supporting our broader family, financially."

Police have seized a number of cars in their investigation into the incident but none have proved to be relevant.

They released CCTV on Wednesday showing a blue sedan or hatchback driving in a nearby street, and they said the driver would be able to assist the investigation.

Detective Inspector Tim Clark said there was no specific evidence the driver was speeding or that they deliberately hit Mr Kuni.

But that didn't change the impact they had on the lives of his family members.

“There is no doubt the driver of that vehicle knew they hit someone at that time, he said.

"To not stop and render that man assistance is a coward act."

Argen Kuni
After working in a meat plant, Argen Kuni moved into agriculture and construction. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

Mr Kuni arrived in Australia in mid-2021 hoping for good conditions and a decent wage at a rural meat processing plant.

Instead, he found himself cleaning out the innards of hundreds of animals every day and returning to a small room shared with three other workers at night.

He later left the PALM scheme and, on a different visa, worked in agriculture and construction, earning enough to build his family home.

Mr Kuni was planning his long-awaited return when struck and killed.

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