By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Neighbors say they chased down a man who was obviously drunk, after he allegedly hit a car while speeding on Harris Avenue, crashed through a fence and ran his car onto the Amtrak rail line opposite Delaine Street in Olneyville.
“The guy was just drunk and he hit the car right there and he went straight up to the train, and it was right as the train, it was crossing,” said Reynaldo, who lives nearby and gave only his first name.
“He jumped the fence, he fell on his head and then he asked me if I called the cops? I said, ‘yes, we did’, and he said, ‘can I go?’, and I said, ‘I’m not a cop’, and then he started running. Reynaldo and another neighbor, who identified himself as Omar said they chased him, and held him until police arrived.
Police later identified the suspect as Brian Lahiff, 42, and said that he was wanted for two outstanding warrants. In addition to numerous traffic violations, he faced charges including refusal a chemical test and driving under the influence.
Providence police, aided by Amtrak police and fire crews helped as a tow truck operator remove the car, a small sedan.
Neighbors say this section of Harris Avenue, a long straightaway, often sees a lot of speeding.
