Actions

Witness help Boise Police capture hit-and-run suspect

Posted at 5:06 PM, Jul 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-28 19:06:51-04

A Boise man is in jail after police say he was involved in a series of hit-and-run crashes in west Boise Friday morning.

Around 11:15 a.m., Boise Police officers were notified of a car crash at the eastbound I-84/Eagle Road off-ramp. 
“A maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee left the scene of the crash. Witnesses say (the driver) continued to drive erratically, crashing into an unknown vehicle on the Eagle Road overpass,” according to a Boise Police news release.

“Witnesses followed the suspect vehicle and reported to dispatchers that the man driving had rear-ended a vehicle at Franklin Road and Touchmark Way -- and later another vehicle on West Camas Street. Most of the crashes were at low speeds,” the release said.

Officers responded to the 1200 block of Lizaso Avenue, where the man had reportedly crashed his Jeep through the side-yard fence of a residence, traveled through part of the backyard and came to a stop after crashing through the home’s back fence. 

“Several neighbors heard the crashes and went to the vehicle, as the driver reportedly attempted to flee. They were able to detain the driver for a short time until officers arrived on scene,” the release stated.

"That’s part of what makes Boise so great. When people need help, neighbors respond, and they do it in numbers,” Boise Police Lt. Stan Niccolls said. “It wasn’t just the neighbors who made sure this guy didn’t get away, either.  Those drivers who followed him from a safe distance from the first few crashes, they were the ones that guided our officers in the first place.”

The driver of the Jeep, identified as Nicolas Williams, 39, of Boise, was taken to a local hospital and treated -- before being released to police custody. He was transported to the Ada County Jail where he was booked for one count of driving under the influence and four counts of leaving the scene of an accident. All are misdemeanors.