It will be Christmas before there is much progress in tragic US death driver case, court is told
The case against an American special needs teacher, accused of causing a woman’s death by careless driving, will “likely be the mouth of Christmas,” before there is meaningful progress, a judge said today.
Having heard that the police investigation and reports “have a target date of six months,” District Judge Peter King said he was content to “take this case at whatever pace is required.”
Cathy Stewart, 66, from Old Hickory Court, Benton in Illinois, is on bail accused of causing the death of Alison Eichner by driving carelessly on the Causeway Road in Bushmills on 11 June this year.
The court has heard previously that Ms Stewart, driving an electric vehicle for the first time, believed she had switched it off as she parked outside the Causeway Hotel.
Ms Eichner, an American lady understood to be in her 40s, was sitting on a bench outside but as the vehicle rolled forward, the defendant tried to apply the brakes but hit the accelerator instead. The vehicle lurched forward suddenly and tragically collided with the victim, causing fatal injuries.
Defence solicitor Sam Barr has already highlighted that it was a “tragic, tragic accident - a simple error that has caused catastrophic consequences” and that Ms Stewart is “just devastated” about the consequences, not for her but for the victim’s family.
In court today, Mr Barr suggested adjourning the case for three months, but a prosecutor told the court that with the investigation encompassing forensic examinations, eye-witness accounts and CCTV, “there is a target date of six months” for a full file.
“That takes us to the mouth of Christmas,” Judge King told the court.
Adjourning the case to 6 October and excusing Ms Stewart from having to attend, he concluded that “it will be some time around Christmas or the New Year” by the time there is progress.