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The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
American woman faces court charged over fatal crash outside N Ireland hotel
An American woman has appeared in court in Northern Ireland charged with causing death by careless driving in what has been described as a tragic incident for all involved. Coleraine Magistrates' Court heard that Cathy Stewart, 66, a special needs teacher from Benton, Illinois, lost control of an electric vehicle as she parked it outside a hotel in Bushmills. The vehicle was described as having 'suddenly bolted forward' into furniture, striking Allison Eichner, aged in her 40s and from Connecticut, on Wednesday afternoon. Ms Eichner was taken to hospital but died of her injuries. Relatives of Ms Eichner watched court proceedings remotely while Stewart was granted bail on a number of conditions, including residing at her home address in Illinois and a £5,000 cash surety, in recognition that the case is unlikely to be heard until 2026 at the earliest. Ms Stewart appeared before the court on Friday morning charged with causing death by careless driving on Wednesday June 11 on the Causeway Road in Bushmills. She indicated she understood the charge when it was put to her. A police constable said she believed she could connect the accused to the charge. She also described a tragic incident for all involved, and said police were 'not entirely opposed to bail', describing the 'big problem' as being the address of the defendant but said with a substantial cash surety, bail could be an option. 'On Wednesday June 11, at approximately a quarter past 12 in the afternoon, a single-vehicle road traffic collision occurred at the front of the Causeway Hotel on the Causeway Road in Bushmills,' she told the court. 'It involved a grey Ford Transit, a multiple person vehicle, being driven by the defendant. The defendant collided with the pedestrian while she sat on a bench at the front of the property.' She said Ms Eichner suffered severe injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transferred to the Causeway Hospital but died of her injuries a short time later. 'CCTV footage of the collision was obtained from the hotel, and it shows a Ford Transit being parked in the disabled parking bay after which the passengers get out and make their way into the hotel entrance,' she said. 'The driver's door appears to open slightly as though the driver was exiting the vehicle, however the vehicle moves forward slowly, and then suddenly bolts forward colliding with a light fixture, outdoor dining furniture and the victim who was sitting beside her brother on a bench. 'Her brother jumped out of the way but unfortunately the injured party sustained the full impact of the vehicle. 'The defendant was cautioned at the scene and gave an account consistent with the CCTV. The defendant stated she believed she had turned the car off before attempting to exit and as it rolled forward she tried to apply the foot brake however instead she hit the accelerator causing the collision.' The constable said Ms Stewart was interviewed by police with her solicitor, answered all questions put to her, co-operated fully, and appeared remorseful. 'She had been in Northern Ireland since Tuesday afternoon on holiday with family and friends. She had left Belfast that morning with the ultimate destination of heading to Londonderry,' she said. 'The vehicle was a rental vehicle and she described taking time to familiarise herself with the controls before she left the airport. The defendant would say she was very cautious driving and stated she was in no rush. 'She admitted that she had never driven an electric or hybrid vehicle before, she described pulling into the parking space, stating that she pressed the start/stop button on the left hand side of the steering wheel and as far as she was concerned the vehicle shut down and stopped. 'The passengers in the vehicle got out and she remained in the driver's seat for a short time before stepping out of the vehicle and feeling it moving forward. She described trying to get back in and feeling for the brake, trying to stop the vehicle, however she stated she was feeling shocked and disorientated about what happened.' A defence lawyer for Ms Stewart described a 'tragic, tragic case'. 'This was a simple error which has caused catastrophic consequences,' he said. 'This was an electric vehicle, she pushed the button, she assumed that the vehicle was off and of course being electric it doesn't make any noise. Unfortunately it has surged forward. 'At the end of her interview she was asked was there anything she wanted to say, I'll read what she said 'I'm just devastated, I can't get that family out of my mind. I'm the person who protects, to know that someone lost their life is devastating'. 'This is devastating for two sets of people, most especially the family of the deceased, and throughout Mrs Stewart's only thoughts have been with that bereaved family.' He urged that bail is granted, adding she will have no difficulty coming back. 'She worked as a special needs teacher then a counsellor in a secondary school for over 40 years. She now works with a teaching union,' he said. The judge said bail was 'entirely appropriate in this case', given that the evidential and forensic requirements of prosecution are going to take some time. 'Given that, it would be entirely disproportionate and inappropriate to keep you in custody for the duration of the investigation,' he said. 'Equally it would be entirely disproportionate to keep you from the United States whilst the investigation is ongoing, so I will grant bail. The case is next to be mentioned on July 1.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Driver charged after American woman killed in crash
A 66-year-old woman has been charged with causing death by careless driving after an American woman was killed in a crash. Police said that pedestrian Allison Eichner, aged in her 40s and from Connecticut, died after a single-vehicle collision in the Causeway Road area of Bushmills on Wednesday. Advertisement Energency services responded to the incident shortly before 12.30pm. Ms Eichner, a pedestrian at the time of the crash, was taken to hospital but died from her injuries. Officers from the collision investigation unit have charged a 66-year-old woman with causing death by careless driving. She is due to appear at Coleraine Magistrates' Court on Friday. Advertisement All charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Woman charged over road death of American woman in Antrim
A 66-year-old woman has been charged with causing death by careless driving after an American woman was killed in a crash in Co Antrim yesterday. She is due to appear at Coleraine magistrates court on Friday. The PSNI said it responded to reports of a woman being struck by a vehicle in the Causeway Road area of Bushmills at around 12.30pm yesterday. They named the woman who died in the crash as 40-year-old Allison Eichner from Connecticut in the US. She was taken to hospital by emergency services where she later died from her injuries.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Woman charged after American tourist killed in road crash at Giant's Causeway
A woman in her 60s is due to appear in court later this week charged in connection with a road traffic collision in Co Antrim which claimed the life of an American citizen. Police responded to reports of a woman being struck by a vehicle in the Causeway Road area of Bushmills at around 12.30pm on Wednesday. The pedestrian, Allison Eichner, an American citizen from Connecticut in her 40s, was taken to hospital by emergency services where she later died from her injuries. Police confirmed that a 66-year-old woman was arrested. The PSNI announced on Thursday that officers from the collision investigation unit have charged the woman with causing death by careless driving. She is due to appear at Coleraine magistrates court on Friday (June 13). Detectives are continuing to conduct enquiries into the fatal collision and have asked for anyone with information to come forward. The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 683 of 11/06/25. For the latest news and breaking news visit Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Follow us on Twitter @IrishMirror - the official Irish Mirror Twitter account - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/irishmirror - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sunday Mirror and
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Bushmills: Woman charged after death of American pedestrian in road crash
A woman has been charged with causing death by careless driving after a pedestrian died in Bushmills, County Antrim, on 66-year-old is due to appear at Coleraine magistrates court on Friday 13 received a report of the collision on the Causeway Road shortly before 12:30 pedestrian, Allison Eichner, was an American citizen from Connecticut in her 40s. She was taken to hospital but died from her Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service, which is usual procedure.
