Lanzarote horror crash driver in Brit baby death has panic attack in court
The driver accused of the horrifying crash at a tourist resort in Lanzarote which killed a four-month-old girl from Britain and injured six others suffered a panic attack in court.
Olivia Brown, 23, is accused of being under the influence of drink and drugs when her car is reported to have mounted a pavement in Playa Blanca, ploughing into several people. The baby's parents and maternal grandparents were all injured, authorities said, with the father and grandmother seriously hurt.
Two other women - a mother and daughter from Sweden - were also injured. Police said on Tuesday that the driver was investigated on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink and drugs, and was tested at the scene.
Brown, a British resident on the Canary island, was helped to sneak into the court building in the island's capital, Arrecife, at around 9am where she was charged. The baby girl was four and a half months old, although her name and the names of those injured have not been released.
Olivia Brown, 23, has been named as the driver accused
The British national lives on the islandA doctor decided the 23-year-old, named as Olivia Brown, could not be properly questioned about the crash and the hearing was suspended in dramatic circumstances. An investigating judge decided to release her on bail for the time being while a new date was arranged.
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Her court quiz took place behind closed doors, as is normal in Spain where only trials are held in public. She was released on bail following the hearing pending an ongoing criminal probe into the accident, which left the baby's parents and grandparents badly injured, with conditions that include a travel ban and an obligation to sign on at court every fortnight.
A spokesman for the judge presiding the private hearing said: “The suspect has appeared this morning before Arrecife’s Court of Investigation Number One, but has not been able to testify due to an anxiety attack. The forensic examiner has ruled that she was not in a fit state to make a statement, so an attempt will be made in the near future.
“For the time being she has been provisionally released as the suspected author of a crime of manslaughter and another of driving under the influence of alcohol, toxic drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances under article 379.2 of the Spanish penal code. As precautionary measures, she has the obligation to sign on at court on the 1st and 15th of each month, she has had to surrender her passport and she has been banned from leaving national territory.”
The little girl's family have been treated for their injuries in a local hospital on the island (SOLARPIX.COM)A spokesman for Yaiza Town Hall - the nearest local town to the rest - said: “Two people from Sweden, a mother and daughter, were hurt. Four people from the UK were injured along with the baby that died.
“The mother and father of the youngster are among the injured as well as the baby’s two maternal grandparents. The father of the baby and the baby’s grandmother are the most seriously injured.”
Meanwhile, the baby's paternal grandparents are understood to have flown to the island, it was reported on Wednesday night. A source said: “The father and maternal grandmother remain in intensive care but will both pull through. Their lives are not in danger.
“The other two British nationals, the baby’s mum and maternal grandfather, are also still in hospital but are on a ward. They were all aware the little girl, who was four-and-a-half months old, had died from the first moment despite their injuries and they’re obviously absolutely devastated.”
The crash happened when a Ford Fiesta mounted the pavement on a road in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote (SOLARPIX.COM)Yaiza's mayor Oscar Noda declared two days of mourning following Monday's crash, as well as a minute's silence. Mr Noda said: “The accident caused seven victims, including the five-year-old baby that died. The survivors came from two families, one from Sweden and the other of British origin.
“They are the parents of the child that died and the baby’s maternal grandparents. The ones in the worst condition this morning are the baby’s father and maternal grandmother. All the survivors are still in hospital. We hope they all recover.”
He added: “I am going to declare two days of mourning and tomorrow at midday a minute’s silence will be held at the doors of the town hall. The British family were walking along the pavement in a correct and normal way when they were mown down by a vehicle that was totally out of control. The moments that followed were very delicate and very traumatic.”
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