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Driver under drug influence suspected in Liverpool traffic incident involving pedestrians

Mob hit in Liverpool: Driver, apparently drugged, careens into throng of people

Officer present at Liverpool's disaster location
Officer present at Liverpool's disaster location

Mob in Liverpool Attacked by Intoxicated Motorist; Alleged Intoxicant Was Illicit Substance - Driver under drug influence suspected in Liverpool traffic incident involving pedestrians

In Liverpool on Monday evening, a car crashed into a crowd celebrating the city's football team's English Premier League victory, leaving nearly 80 people injured, with eleven still receiving treatment in the hospital in stable condition. The accident occurred during a victory parade in the port city, with the driver, a 53-year-old man, following an ambulance through a recently lifted roadblock.

Merseyside Police arrested the suspect at the scene, initially focusing their investigation on charges of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of drugs. The investigation is ongoing, with more time granted to question the suspect, although he has yet to be formally charged or named publicly.

The incident deeply affected the Liverpool football community and fans, who were celebrating together before the sudden attack. Eyewitness accounts describe victims pleading with the driver to stop before being hit. The event shocked the city and has led to an ongoing investigation by Merseyside Police, who have emphasized that the crash is not being treated as terrorism.

reactions from notable figures in the sports world, with King Charles III expressing his shock and sadness, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing the scenes as "horrific," and former Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp posting on Instagram that he and his family were "shocked and devastated." Manchester United, Liverpool's biggest rival in the English Premier League, also showed their sympathy to the city and its club.

In a tragic echo of last year's attack on children at a Taylor Swift dance class in nearby Southport, rumors about the attacker’s identity spread online, leading to days of violent riots targeting asylum seekers [1][2]. The incident in Liverpool has prompted calls for increased vigilance and dialogue to combat hate speech and misinformation.

The English Premier League has offered "full support" to Liverpool FC in the aftermath of the incident. The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, also extended his condolences, stating, "Football stands together with Liverpool FC and all fans of the club."

Footnotes:

[1] BBC News. (2025, May 28). Liverpool car crash: Driver arrested after victory parade crash. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-57224278

[2] The Guardian. (2025, May 28). Liverpool car crash: Driver arrest after pedestrians injured outside St George's Hall. Retrieved May 28, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/28/liverpool-car-crash-driver-arrest-after-pedestrians-injured-outside-st-georges-hall

  1. Notable figures in the health-and-wellness community, like King Charles III, have expressed their shock and sadness over the incident involving the Liverpool Football Club's victory parade, where a car crashed into a crowd, leaving numerous injuries.
  2. In the realm of science, researchers and experts are prompting conversations about the impact of social media on spreading misinformation and inciting violence, following the unfortunate incident in Liverpool and the subsequent developments targeting asylum seekers.
  3. Beyond the world of sports, general-news outlets are keeping a close eye on the ongoing crime-and-justice investigation by Merseyside Police, who are still questioning the suspect and continue to gather evidence related to charges of attempted murder and dangerous driving, among others.

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