Locals nab fleeing wall-smash driver

LOCALS in the Killerisk area of Tralee have been praised by gardaí after they helped catch a suspected drunk driver who ploughed his car into a wall and then fled the scene.

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon on a busy stretch of footpath typically packed with pedestrians often including many young children.

Immediately after the crash – which demolished about 15 feet of a filling station wall – the driver fled the scene leaving front of the car hanging on the wall.

Several local residents saw what had happened and pursued the man who they followed until Gardaí arrived on the scene a few minutes later and arrested the driver.

Gardaí in Tralee said the man has been charged with suspected drunk driving and is facing a court appearance.

Following the incident, Gardaí said it was extremely lucky that a pedestrian wasn’t seriously hurt or killed in the crash and praised the local residents for their quick thinking.

“The driver of the car left the scene on foot but was observed and followed by some civic minded locals. Tralee Gardaí were contacted and arrived within minutes. The driver was intercepted and subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving,” said a Garda spokesperson.

“We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted us today. We really appreciate it and just want to acknowledge it. The message is never, ever drink and drive,” said the Garda spokesperson.