‘No impact crash’ led to prosecution of driver

A driver whom Sligo District Court heard was involved in a rear ending ‘no impact’ accident at traffic lights was prosecuted for dangerous driving and for being involved in a hit and run.

The driver, Wojciech Terlecki of Eden Mount Hall, Brooklawns told the court last Thursday he believed he had done nothing wrong and that was why he didn’t wait at the scene of the ‘accident’ at Cairns Road on May 31st 2017. He was defended by Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor.

Colm Grace, in evidence, said he had stopped when the lights turned red at Cairns Road at about 3.55pm on May 31st last. There was one car in front of him.

A car travelling behind him ‘impacted lightly’ with the rear of his. He got out and saw that there wasn’t much damage. The other car was just about touching his. The witness claimed that the defendant didn’t wish to talk to him or exchange insurance details. Mr Grace said he returned to his car to get his phone when the defendant put his car into reverse and drove off, hitting him in the process, making him roll off the bonnet of the car. The defendant went on to drive through the red light.

Witness agreed with Mr McGovern that a PSV Inspector’s report stated that there had been no damage to either vehicle and that he had told the investigating Garda that he was uninjured. Mr McGovern said the defendant would say he had stopped very close to the other car but did not make contact. Mr McGovern put it to witness that he had put his hands on the bonnet of the defendant’s car as he drove past. Mr Grace said he had to roll himself off the car.

Vinny Reynolds told the court he was a neighbour of the last witness and they left a nearby estate at the same time. He had stopped behind the defendant’s car at the lights and could see Mr Grace get out and then with his phone in his hand. The defendant’s car reversed and then forward, hitting Mr Grace who rolled over and landed on his feet.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne read a statement from the defendant given on June 20 th in which he said he Mr Grace had got out and began shouting whether he “should open the boot for him to drive in.” He admitted driving too close to the other car but did not touch it. The other driver stood in front of him and put his hands on the bonnet.

The defendant told the court Mr Grace was waving his hands and he didn’t know whether he was going to get a stick to strike his car with. He didn’t touch the other car that was why he drove off and he did not go through a red light.

Mr McGovern pleaded that it was one of those difficult cases. There was no damage. Perhaps his client should have waited and wrote out his details for the other driver. He was a hardworking, decent man who was a sales representative.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said two strong cars were involved, a BMW and an Audi so there was no damage. He said parties have got to be reasonable when things happen .

The witness was impacted as the defendant passed but there might be some truth in the suggestion that he put out his handsto try to put a halt to what was happening and this would be a natural thing to do he said.

The defendant should certainly have stopped at that stage, said the Judge who fined the defendant €100 on one hit and run summons, striking out a second and dismissing a charge of dangerous driving.