A man accused of mowing down a retired police officer in an alleged hit-and-run has been charged with murder.
Lisa Ward, 55, was walking her dog near Ulmarra Showground, north of Grafton in northern NSW just before 5pm on Tuesday when she came across a 4WD she had previously reported for alleged dangerous driving.
Police allege an altercation took place after she took a photo of the registration plate of the vehicle doing burnouts at the showground on Coldstream Street.
The driver allegedly accelerated towards and then struck Ms Ward before driving off.
Ms Ward suffered serious injuries and could not be revived.
Police located and seized a 4WD in South Grafton on Wednesday morning following a 14-hour manhunt.
A 50-year-old man was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station, where he was later charged with murder and owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger.
The man was refused bail to face Bail Division Court 1 on Thursday.
Retired police officer Lisa Ward (pictured) was killed in an alleged hit-and-run while walking her dog in Ulmarra on Tuesday
A man has been charged over the alleged hit-and-run at Ulmarra Showground (pictured)
It’s understood Ms Ward was a highly respected police officer within the Coffs Harbour and Clarence ranks before she retired from the force a few years ago.
Shocked locals told The Daily Telegraph that Ms Ward was well-known in the close-knit community and was known to walk her dog at the showground every afternoon.
‘[She] was a lovely person,’ another local posted online.
Several floral tributes were laid at the scene on Wednesday.
It’s understood Ms Ward’s son followed in her footsteps and is a serving officer at Grafton Police.
Ulmarra showground remained a cordoned-off crime scene on Wednesday as detectives re-canvassed the scene.
‘Witnesses have informed detectives that the vehicle has moved towards the 55-year-old female and there has been an altercation,’ Detective Acting Superintendent Guy Flaherty told reporters.
‘The vehicle has left the scene and we believe the 55-year-old has been struck by the vehicle.
‘The crime scene at Ulmarra Showground remains active with extensive inquiries being done by forensics.’
Anybody with information about the movements of the white Nissan Patrol in the local area in recent days is urged to contact Grafton Police or Crime Stoppers.
