Man charged after seven people hit by car in Derby city centre

A 36-year-old man has been formally charged following an incident in Derby city centre where a vehicle struck several pedestrians on Saturday evening. Sandhu Ponnachan, who resides in Alvaston, Derby, faces multiple charges including six counts of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, one count of attempted GBH with intent, one count of dangerous driving, and possession of a bladed article. The collision involved a black Suzuki Swift and occurred at approximately 21:30 GMT on Friar Gate.

Seven individuals, comprising four men and three women aged between 36 and 52, suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident. Thankfully, none of the injuries were life-threatening. Ponnachan, who police have identified as originally from India, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is scheduled to appear before magistrates on Wednesday. Derbyshire police emphasized that the case remains under investigation as they continue to seek information from the public.

Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred described the charging of Ponnachan as “positive news” but highlighted the ongoing nature of the inquiry. She expressed sympathy for those affected, stating, “This incident has, naturally, sent shockwaves through the community of Derby and the county as a whole.” Aldred also urged the public to refrain from speculation that might hinder the judicial process, emphasizing the importance of allowing justice to proceed fairly.

Janine McKinney of the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that prosecutors worked closely with police to gather sufficient evidence to pursue the case. She affirmed that it was “in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.” Meanwhile, Claire Ward, mayor of the East Midlands, called on local communities and agencies to provide support to those impacted by the event, acknowledging the distress experienced not only by victims but also by others caught up in the situation. Police have also clarified that the incident is not being treated as terrorism, and counter-terrorism officers’ involvement was stated to be standard procedure

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