Teen dragged 600 metres can't recall his ordeal

Hamilton police receive 60 tips on hit and run

Hamilton–Up to 60 tips have poured in to police investigating the horrific case of a teen dragged under a car for more than half a kilometre.

Nick Perkins, 17, was hit by a car while cycling home with a friend on July 3. After hitting him, the car's occupants got out of the vehicle, stole a backpack from his friend and drove off again with the teen stuck in the car's undercarriage.

Perkins was dragged 600 metres, burning away skin and bone on his back, hip and head, until he was dislodged.

This week, he was brought out of a coma that had been medically induced to spare him excruciating pain from his injuries.

Yesterday, at a fundraiser barbecue for the teen, his mother and stepdad George McGee said Nick has no memory of events.

"He remembers absolutely nothing," McGee said. "He said he doesn't even remember going out that night. We're hoping something will come back."

Nickie Perkins said her son needs more surgery. "Some of the grafts did not take on his back and buttocks, and he is going in for more surgery (today) that will take two or three hours. They are taking skin from the good parts of his back to put on the bad parts of his back."

Lead investigator, Hamilton police Det. Rob Mayea, said detectives have received 50 to 60 tips and are struggling to prioritize them. "Unfortunately, the tips are all over the map," he said. Police have seized three vehicles, but all have turned out "not to have damage consistent with Nick's injuries," Mayea said.

Hamilton Spectator