A HIT and run driver crashed into a parked car with such force it was shunted on to the pavement, hit a tree and crashed into a garden.

The driver fled the scene — and a short time later the vehicle was discovered on fire.

The crash happened in Victory Road Little Lever, just after 9pm on Friday, minutes after the owner of the car had parked to see a friend.

Leanne Hart, whose mum’s car it was, said it was sheer luck no-one was killed or seriously injured in the smash.

She added: “Just minutes before my mum had been in the car.

“He must have been driving at some speed to have shunted it on to the pavement into a tree, taking down a fence panel and partly into someone’s garden.

“Thankfully no-one was in the car or anywhere near when it happened but his actions could have killed or injured someone.”

Her mum’s car has been written off The 27-year-old appealed for anyone with information to contact the police, who have launched an investigation.

Ms Hart, from Little Lever, said: “My mum is quite shaken up by the fact that she had only been in the car minutes before.

“He needs to be brought to justice.

“Someone said that they had seen the car going at a fast speed.”

She said the car which rammed her mother’s car was a Vauxhall Astra and was later found alight in nearby Ladyshore Road.

Firefighters said they were called to car fire involving a Vauxhall Astra in Ladyshore Road at about 9.30pm.

The car was destroyed in the blaze and crews said the incident had been passed on to the police.

Ms Hart said: “I think the person who did this is local because of where the car was left, it is a secluded area and if you were not from here you would not know about it.

“If anyone came home smelling of fire smoke or is complaining of a sore neck, please tell the police, he needs to be caught.

“Anybody could have been walking on that pavement when he hit the car.”

Police confirmed they are investigating.