Man dies in crash at accident blackspot

A man in his 20s was killed in a car accident in the north-west on Christmas Day as he drove home having visited his girlfriend.

The man, who has been named as Luke Peeks, died after his car left the road on a notorious stretch of bends at Treanamullin in Co Donegal.

The 26-year-old had been on his way home to Inver, outside Donegal Town, from Castlefin.

He was the only person involved in the crash and his car was found in a field close to the road. He was rushed to Letterkenny General Hospital about 20km away, but died as a result of his injuries.

Last night, Donegal county councillor Patrick McGowan said the road on which Mr Peeks died is a notorious accident blackspot and must be upgraded.

In 2009, two Latvian men were killed when their car hit another car close to the scene of the latest tragedy.

Serejus Pridyvus, 31, and Vaidas Aucius, 39, died when their Audi A4 collided with another car on the N15 on Nov 23, 2009.

Mr McGowan said he has lost count of times the ESB has had to replace poles from motorists striking them on the series of bends.

“I have raised this matter with the National Roads Authority on a number of occasions,” said Mr McGowan. “There is not a month that goes by that someone does not go off the road here. By luck most of them have been unhurt or just had minor injuries.

“But we have seen now what can happen. Lives are being put at risk and money needs to be spent to upgrade this road.”

Meanwhile, another man in his 20s, who was home for Christmas in Galway from England, is fighting for his life after being struck by a car in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The injured man, whose name has not been released and whose family live in Barna, was out walking when the incident happened at 1.40am.

He was rushed to University College Hospital where his condition was described as “serious”.

A 31-year-old Lithuanian man has been charged in connection with the incident. He appeared before a special sitting of Galway District Court on Christmas Eve.

Marius Strelciunas, with an address at 132 Manor Court, Knocknacarra, Galway, was charged with dangerous driving, contrary to the Road Traffic Act.

Inspector Ernie White, who said further charges may follow, objected to bail on a number of counts.

The Road Safety Authority is urging all road users to take extra care as large numbers will be taking to the roads again over the next few days in preparation for New Year festivities.

CEO Noel Brett asked revellers “not to forget that time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system. So don’t assume you are safe to drive the morning after a night out.”

He also asked drivers to “watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists”, and to also “expect the unexpected”.

“You simply do not know what is waiting around the next corner,” he said.