Overview
- Two pedestrians were struck in the York Street area of North Belfast and a 24-year-old woman, Raven Adams, was pronounced dead after the collision that occurred on Thursday, July 16.
- Police arrested a 22-year-old man in the Cavehill area and charged him with causing death by dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving and related offences; he was identified in court as Francis Donaldson.
- Court evidence and police accounts say dashcam and CCTV show the vehicle travelling at speed, running red lights and mounting a footpath before the driver left the scene on foot.
- At his magistrates’ appearance the defendant said he was experiencing a mental health crisis and had sent a message indicating suicidal intent; the judge refused bail and ordered an Article 51 mental health assessment with the case listed for mention in about four weeks.
- The PSNI Collision Investigation Unit has appealed for witnesses, dash-cam and CCTV footage under reference 181 16/07/26 while the injured male remains in hospital and the Public Prosecution Service will review the charges ahead of further proceedings.