Car severely damaged following a hit and run in Braunton
A MAN from Barnstaple has spoken of his frustration after his car was severely damaged by a hit and run driver this afternoon.
Nick Lloyd, 37, had parked his black Ford Focus Ghia on Chaloners Road in Braunton.
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Nick Lloyd's damaged car.
He was working in J's Skate Shop when he got a call telling him someone had ploughed into his car.
Nick, who has been shop manager for eight years, said is angry and frustrated nobody stopped after the collision. He said: "I was parked on the right hand side of the road, near the bowling club.
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"There were three other cars parked there when I left. I got a call at about noon to say my car had been smashed up.
"The police were already there, I don't know who called them. My car and another car were damaged. I think someone had hit the other car then swerved into mine. The other vehicle must be trashed.
"I had to shut the shop for two hours while I tried to sort everything out. After the flooding I could do without.
"It has been a shocker of a day. You just don't expect this sort of thing to happen in Braunton. It is such a shame."
Nick's car has been taken to a garage, he believes it will be written off as a result of the damage.
Nick's partner of 14 years Krista Laird said she is frustrated the culprit did not come forward. Krista, 35, said: "The first I heard about this was when I saw someone had uploaded a picture to Facebook.
"I was shocked because I thought Nick had been involved in an accident. The car was in a right state, I was so worried because I had not heard from him.
"I knew he had left to go surfing this morning then on to work. I saw the photograph and called Nick straight away. He was very apologetic for not calling me and letting me know he was ok.
"We have two children and can really be doing without this just after Christmas, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It has been a bit of a nightmare and it will be hard on everyone, especially after all the flooding in Braunton recently."
"A bit of human decency and common courtesy would have been nice. This is just another problem Nick has to sort out, it's time and money and it's frustrating."
If anyone has any information phone the police on 101 quoting log number 229.
Comments
by longlashes
Sunday, January 06 2013, 5:27PM
“Confirmation from police that it was a silver/grey saab and not a 'heavy vehicle' could have happened to anyone, anywhere.
If anyone has any info please let us know, thank you”
by DB361
Sunday, January 06 2013, 4:39PM
“longlashes and Frankspencer - nobody it saying that it's Nick's fault that his car was hit, all wer're saying is that leaving your car parked on what is north Devon's most congested road is an accident waiting to happen. The difference between the A361 and a residential street or a car park is the type of traffic that uses it - those who have has their cars hit in a car park, whilst very annoying and frustrating, do still at least have a car afterwards as it won't have been hit by a HGV or a bus. The A361 carries a lot of havey vehicles, and I certaintly wouldn't want to leave my car in the firing line of something that size!”
by maddogwoman
Sunday, January 06 2013, 2:58PM
“Same thing happened to me in a supermarket car park. No-one saw anything and nothing was recorded on the CCTV cameras there. It annoyed me as the driver could have left their details, but then again maybe they had no insurance. My car was badly damaged, so they must have known they hit it.”
by Frankspencer
Sunday, January 06 2013, 2:33PM
“I have parked here for years as do many others in the village i also pay to park and i park elsewhere in the village. I kinda see how this is completly my fault i mean im so stupid sorry guys from now on im going to carry my car into the shop with me so no one can hit it again actually im going to carry the other car that got hit aswell just in case !! I mean its really easy to write off one car then write off another 2 secs after you hit the first car happens everyday in braunton :)”
by longlashes
Sunday, January 06 2013, 2:22PM
“As per traffic police comment, 'you pay your road tax, park legally then you can park where you want!' The driver was either drunk, on their phone and probably uninsured too and should not have been on the road, I am slightly confused how some people have the attitude that it is Nick's fault?”
by tomgreen1234
Sunday, January 06 2013, 1:46PM
“Totally agree with DB361, ban all parking on Exeter road. This has been inevitable for a while now.
Like Alfio says, he might have saved £2 on the parking but the long term cost is a lot more.
That said what a complete pr**k for not leaving insurance details at the very least. Someone MUST know who did it, so if you are reading this why not man up and step forward.”
by sillybob
Saturday, January 05 2013, 11:20PM
“by AlfioSaturday, January 05 2013, 8:02PM
"Sorry, but this is bound to happen. You have taken your chances by parking on the side of a busy main road, where nobody parked until the car park charges started. Where did you park before then? In the very safe and free car park, I bet. If you pay your money you can make your choice. You took a risk and it didn't pay off."
i parked in a car park and it still happened so that is a load of rubbish”
by DB361
Saturday, January 05 2013, 10:29PM
“Personally, I wouldn't trust leaving my car on that stretch of the A361 at all - and this is exactly why. I would have no hesitation in banning all parking on Exeter Road and Chaloners Road as not only would it help prevent incidents like this, it would also improve pedestrian safety and help the congestion problem massively.
SteCorcoran - Alfio isn't talking about how he drives, he's talking about other people drive. There's a scary number of people out there who seem completely unaware of their surroundings, and this is the result. Personally, I would say that this particular incident has been caused by a HGV or a bus, as anything smaller would have almost certaintly not been cabable of being driven away after such an impact.”
by SteCorcoran
Saturday, January 05 2013, 9:14PM
“Alfio, I'm not sure how you drive although in all the years I have been driving, not once have I failed to see at car parked along the side of the road and smashed straight into it, let alone, drove off! Should we all not park on Exeter road as I assume this isn't safe either, is any on-street parking safe? If people can't see a car parked up along the side of the road, then they really shouldn't be driving, its not difficult!”
by Alfio
Saturday, January 05 2013, 8:02PM
“Sorry, but this is bound to happen. You have taken your chances by parking on the side of a busy main road, where nobody parked until the car park charges started. Where did you park before then? In the very safe and free car park, I bet. If you pay your money you can make your choice. You took a risk and it didn't pay off.”