London (AP) – A driver who injured nearly 80 people hit In a crowd of Liverpool football fans celebrating the premier league championship of their team was charged Thursday to have intentionally caused serious bodily lesions and six other serious counts, a prosecutor said.
Paul Doyle, 53, was also accused of dangerous conduct and five other charges alleging different variations of causing or attempted serious bodily lesions, said prosecutor Sarah Hammond. The accusations bear a maximum prison sentence in perpetuity in the event of a conviction.
The accusations involve six victims, including two children.
The injured were 9 to 78 years old, with at least 50 people treated in hospitals. Seven people stayed at the hospital Thursday in a stable state.
Hammond said the investigation was at an early stage when the police examine a huge volume of evidence, including videos and declarations of eye witness.
“It is important to ensure that each victim obtains the justice it deserves,” said Hammond.
The city celebrated the 20th record title of Liverpool when the driver fell on a street full of fans and joy quickly turned into a tragedy.
“We know that the shocking scenes on Monday repercussions in the city of Liverpool, and the whole country, on what should have been a celebration day for hundreds of thousands of supporters of the Liverpool FC,” said Hammond.
Doyle stayed in police custody and faces his first hearing in court on Friday before the Liverpool court of first instance.
Police had previously declared that they had thought that Doyle had dodged a roadblock by developing an ambulance responding to a report by a cardiac arrest.
A video that circulated on social networks showed horror scenes while the car struck and thrown a person in the air which was draped in a Liverpool flag, then swerved in a sea of people wrapped on the side of the road.
At least four people, including a child, were saved under the vehicle when he stopped.
Merseyid police said the driver would have acted alone and that they did not suspect terrorism.
They did not disclose an alleged reason for the act.
“I fully understand how this incident shocked and saddened us all, and I know that many will continue to have concerns and questions,” said assistant chief Jenny Sims during a short press conference. “Our detectives operate tirelessly, with diligence and professionalism to ask all these questions the answer.”
