An eyewitness played a big role in helping police arrest a man accused of impaired driving and leaving the scene of an accident in St. John's Wednesday night.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary received a call just before 9 p.m. from someone who said he'd seen the driver smash into a parked car and then drive away.

The collision happened on Blackmarsh Road, in the central part of the city.

The witness followed the vehicle to Cowan Heights in the west end and called the police.

Officers arrested a 25-year-old man at his home. He faces charges of impaired driving, failing the breathalyzer and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

Police describe the damage to both cars as moderate.