Driver in crash which killed pedestrian was in mental health crisis, court told
By Rebecca Black, Press Association
The driver involved in a hit-and-run collision in Belfast, during which a woman died and a man was seriously injured, was in a “mental health crisis”, a court has heard.
Raven Adams, 24, originally from the Tipperary area, died after she and a man were struck by a car in the York Street area at around 2.40am on Thursday.
Francis Donaldson, 22, of Cardigan Drive in Belfast, appeared before the city’s magistrates on Friday to face a number of charges, including causing death by dangerous driving on July 16th.
Donaldson appeared upset in the dock as nine charges were read to him, and was described in court as “fraught and overwrought”. He replied yes when asked if he understood the charges.
The charges also include causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
A police officer said he believed he could connected the accused to the charges.
The court heard Adams and the man she was with had been pedestrians, and dashcam footage shows the vehicle which struck them travelling at speed on the Limestone Road, running two red lights before coming on to York Street, mounting the footpath on the opposite side of the road.
Adams was pronounced dead at the scene, while the man remains in hospital with injuries to his skull, neck, ribs, shoulder and knee.
The driver was captured on CCTV leaving the scene on foot.
The court heard later the defendant’s mother called police to say he had sent a message to his partner saying he was “suicidal and was going to intentionally crash his car to kill himself”.
He was found in the Cavehill area by police where the court heard he admitted to being involved in the crash, and asked police whether the two people were dead.
During police interview, the defendant provided a statement saying he was the driver of the vehicle, was responsible for what happened, and was “having a mental health crisis”.
I accept I am responsible for what happened. I was experiencing a mental health crisis both at the time and in the immediate aftermath of the collision
He also expressed remorse and condolences to the families in a statement that it was “never my intention to cause anyone harm except myself”.
He added: “I accept I am responsible for what happened. I was experiencing a mental health crisis both at the time and in the immediate aftermath of the collision.”
The police officer said they objected to bail “given the risk the defendant poses to himself and the wider community”, “community tensions”, and said there is concern whether the defendant could be “effectively managed on bail given his mental health issues”.
A defence solicitor said the defendant’s family were present in court, and said they proposed bail with conditions including going back to his home with two sureties from his mother and his aunt, and a package of support.
The judge said he could see “the state” the defendant is in, “crying and utterly remorseful”, and refused to allow bail.
“Any issues in the community, that’s what police are there for,” he said
“I can’t take someone in to protect themselves, but there are two other issues that cause me some concern, one is considering what he did, I don’t know if this young man would try to do the same again or something like it, and if he did, whether he would take someone with him.
“He also left the scene. I think the police are not unreasonable in saying they fear that bail could not be adequately managed due to all the circumstances, including his mental health.
“Unless you could persuade a court that there were sufficient safeguards to overcome the issues that I have raised with you, bail has to be refused at this stage.”
He added that “clearly”, an article 51 mental health assessment “is going to be necessary for this young man”.
The case is next to be mentioned in four weeks’ time.
Those dealing with mental health issues can contact the charity Samaritans day or night, 365 days a year for free on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
