London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A suspect faces charges of murder attempts after crashing his vehicle into pedestrians on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue.
The 30-year-old, Anthony Gilheaney, is accused of driving a Mercedes that struck pedestrians early on Wednesday morning. He has since been charged with seven criminal offences in connection with the incident.
He is charged with an attempt to murder Aidan Chapman, Tyrone Itorho, Marcelo Basbus-Garcia, and Miguel Wairich, and is also accused of causing severe injuries while driving without a license.
In addition to murder charges, Mr Gilheaney, who lives in Longfield in Harlow, was also charged with driving dangerously on Fleet Street and carrying a small knife in Linkcoln’s Inn Fields on 25 December.
On Friday, the suspect is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to face the full list of charges.
He was reportedly restricted from driving at the time of the tragic incident that left four pedestrians harmed.
The Metropolitan Police reported that four individuals were taken to the hospital immediately after the collision, with witnesses stating a car was driving on the opposite side of Shaftesbury Avenue.
As reported by The Standard, one of the four injured individuals is reported to be in critical condition at the hospital.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy stated, “Officers responded quickly to this report, working closely with City of London Police to arrest a man within minutes.”
He added, “It’s believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement.”
Near Caffe Concerto on Shaftesbury Avenue, the scene showed clothing and possessions scattered across the ground, with clear blood traces.
Officials have confirmed that the incident is not linked to a terrorist attack.
Authorities cordoned off the area, covering from Gielgud Theatre, featuring Oliver, to the Sondheim Theatre, currently hosting Les Miserables.
In another incident on 25 December, a two-car crash occurred at the Riverside Drive and Wharncliffe Road intersection, causing one vehicle to overturn. One individual was hospitalized with minor injuries.
For the year ending June 2024, Great Britain reported 1,607 fatalities in road incidents, a 2% decrease compared to the previous year. There were 29,540 KSI casualties, showing little change, while the total number of casualties, across all severities, fell by 4% to 128,920.
Figures show that road fatalities in London decreased by 30% in 2023, compared to a 7% reduction for the rest of Great Britain. This is part of progress towards the Mayor’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury from the transport network.