A father-of-three killed in a suspected hit-and-run on Saturday night has been remembered as a devoted dad, loyal friend and a good man by those who knew him best.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Just hours after leaving his daughter's engagement party, Mal Hackett, 51, was found by a passing motorist on the side of Red Hill Road at Glenfield Park.
The Junee man's devastated family is determined to find answers.
Daughter Brittany Hackett, 26, said she was still in shock that her dad was gone.
"My nan made me eat for the first time today, and I have not slept, I have not stopped crying," she said.
"I am at a loss for words. He was loud, he was caring, loving - he loved all of his friends. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone. He could be stubborn at times, and that is where I probably get it from."
Brittany said she is devastated, broken, hurt and feels immense pain for herself and her brothers Joel and Scott. She urged anyone with information to come forward.
"The person that did it might see it and realise that was someone's dad," Brittany said.
"Someone knows something. He was killed one corner away from my house. He is my dad, my only father and he has been taken away from me."
Brittany said Mr Hackett had been a truck driver for most of his life, but his passion was motorbikes.
She said her dad used to call her Bert, a nickname she is fond of.
"He and my little brother have called me it since I was tiny," she said. "I did not have a nickname for him; he was just dad to me."
Brittany said she was thankful for the memories she has from her engagement party.
"He was having a great time at my engagement party," she said. "He was wrestling some of my friends out back and I am glad I have lots of photos of me and him from the night."
Brittany said her dad loved hanging out with his friends and family
"There are so many happy memories," she said.
"There is this one where my dad was taking us kids to Melbourne and dad being a dad was like 'I will just feed you some Nesquik this morning and we will stop somewhere along the way for some breakfast'.
"I thought it was the best breakfast, but of course, I vomited all over his car."
A small shrine with memorabilia and flowers has been set up at a pole near the site of the incident by friends and family.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Wagga Police Station on 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.