Sympathy expressed after young female pedestrian Lucy McIlhatton is killed on major NI road

The female pedestrian, aged in her 20’s, sadly died following the collision, which involved a silver Toyota Avensis car, at around 9pm on Sunday night.

She has been named as being 24-year-old Lucy McIlhatton from the west Belfast area.

The collision happened on the Springfield Road in west Belfast, which was closed overnight but has since reopened.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision.

A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including causing death by dangerous driving, driving when unfit through drink or drugs, failing to remain where accident occurred causing injury and assault on police.

He is currently in custody assisting officers with their enquiries.

Inspector Philip McCullagh said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the Springfield Road area at the time and who witnessed this tragic collision or who captured footage on dashcam to contact officers in Woodbourne or the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference number 1554 03/01/21.

“You can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

West Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has extended his condolences to the family of a woman who died in a collision in west Belfast.

He said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of young woman in a traffic collision on the Springfield Road.

“This is heart-breaking news for the woman’s family, friends, loved ones and our wider community.

“I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the woman and offer them my full support.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have been on the Springfield Road to assist the police in their inquiries.”

On social media sympathy has been expressed to her family: ‘Lisa Curry Foster - Dreadful. They should throw away the key. Thinking of her poor family.’

‘Elaine Girvan - Such a waste of life my heart felt sympathy to her family’

‘Bernie Conlon - Prays though with family at this very sad time ’

‘Jeanette Mccord - So so sad! X’

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