Teenage boy killed in Mayo road crash over Easter named locally

The pedestrian who was killed in a road traffic collision along the N17 in Co. Mayor over the weekend has been named as 17-year-old Vakaris Gudaitis.

The teenager who lived in Claremorris was killed when he was hit by a car on the N17 near Barnacarroll at approximately 9.20pm on Saturday night, about eight kilometres north of Claremorris.

Mr Gudaitis was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Mayo University Hospital where a post mortem was to take place. It was the second road tragedy which happened in Mayo in the past week.

Last Tuesday, Úna Bowden, aged in her 40s,was driving on the N17 when their car collided with a truck on Tuesday. She and her two daughters, Saoirse (9) and Ciara (14) were pronounced dead shortly after.

A fundraising appeal has been set up by friends of the family of Mr Gudaitis to help pay for the funeral of the teen, whose family are natives of Lithuania.

Kristina Veldon who is organising the fundraiser on GoFund Me stated that 'nobody could have predicted or prepared for these unfortunate circumstances'.

“As you are well aware, the cost of funerals can be quite expensive, so we are looking for donations from the public to help the Gudaitis family pay their final farewell to their son.

“Any donation, big or small, will be greatly appreciated to cover the funeral expenses. Let's help this family in their time of need,” she wrote. As of Monday lunchtime, the appeal had raised €4,025 of a target of €5,000.

An Garda Síochána stated that no other injuries were reported in the collision involving Mr Gudaitis and are appealing for information into the tragedy.

“Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), and were travelling on the N17 between Claremorris and Knock on Saturday evening between 8.45pm and 9.30pm are asked to make this footage available to gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 937 2080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station,” the garda appeal read.