Donegal man charged over ‘hit-and-run’ in London after his arrest in NI as woman, 65, fights for life

Police tape at the scene of an accident (Yui Mok/PA)

Police have charged a man over a “hit-and-run” collision in south London that left a woman fighting for her life in hospital, after an arrest in Northern Ireland.

Emergency services were called to reports of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian at Southend Lane, Bellingham, on Friday, October 31, at 10.13pm.

The pedestrian, a woman aged 65, was hit by a car near a Lidl supermarket and left seriously injured at the roadside. It is alleged the car involved in the crash made off from the scene.

The woman remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Michael McLaughlin (38), of Buncrana in Donegal, was arrested a week later on Friday, November 7, on a motorway in Northern Ireland by PSNI officers.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

McLaughlin was escorted to England, where he was interviewed at a south London police station.

He was later charged on Saturday, November 8, with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

He remains in custody, and will appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 10 November. Specialist are offering support to the family of the injured woman.

Officers from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigative Unit are still probing the circumstances of the crash and are keen to speak to any potential witnesses who may have information.

Detective Inspector Paul Jackson, previously stated: “If you were on Southend Lane or the local area at the time of the collision, please look back to see if you remember anything. This callous incident has left a woman in a life-threatening condition.

“Our thoughts are with her family at this worrying time. We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have dashcam footage.”