A skateboarder injured in a suspected hit-and-run has died five days after he was found lying injured on a Sydney road.

A passing motorist found Christopher Rhodes suffering serious head injuries on St Thomas St at Bronte on Wednesday morning.

Police believe the popular 26-year-old bartender was hit by a car while skating home down the steep street.

He was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital but died on Sunday morning.

In a post on Facebook on Sunday, his brother Jack Rhodes said the family had said their final goodbyes.

“Unfortunately we were unable to see his beautiful smile ever again,” he wrote.

“As most of you know it’s been hard for all his friends and family.

“He will live on in our hearts and spirits forever.”

Tributes poured onto the social media site for Mr Rhodes, who has been described as “one of kind”.

The former Randwick Boys High School student worked at a pub in Surry Hills and lived in Clovelly.

About half an hour after Mr Rhodes was found on the road, police stopped a motorist at Chatswood after spotting signs of damage on his car.

The 36-year-old was questioned for several hours and released after being charged with unrelated drug and traffic offences.

His car has been seized by crash investigators.