LIVERPOOL, England — A 53-year-old Liverpool man was formally charged Thursday after a vehicle plowed through crowds celebrating Liverpool Football Club’s English Premier League title, leaving 79 people injured in a downtown parade incident that stunned the city and the nation.
Paul Doyle, a resident of the West Derby area, now faces seven criminal counts, including dangerous driving, malicious wounding, and attempted grievous bodily harm, just three days after the violent crash disrupted what was meant to be a historic celebration for the football club and its supporters.
He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Friday, according to Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, who confirmed in a press conference that seven victims remain hospitalized. Sims expressed hope that “all of those who were injured, or witnessed this terrible incident, are able — given time — to heal and recover.”
Doyle was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, and driving under the influence of drugs following the Monday evening crash. Prosecutors have now charged him with:
- One count of dangerous driving
- Two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- Two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent
- Two counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent
“This case has rightly shocked not only Liverpool but the entire country,” said Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire. “It is important to ensure that every victim gets the justice they deserve. Monday’s scenes reverberated around Liverpool and the nation on what should have been a day of celebration.”
The incident occurred in central Liverpool, where thousands had gathered to celebrate Liverpool FC’s league championship win. According to police, Doyle was driving a Ford Galaxy that suddenly accelerated into the crowd, pinning several people beneath the vehicle before it came to a halt.
Video footage circulating online shows panicked onlookers screaming as the car tore through the densely packed crowd. One clip, verified by NBC News, captured furious fans kicking the vehicle and attempting to force open the doors to reach the driver. The same footage shows the car lurching forward again, knocking more people to the ground.
Authorities were quick to describe the crash as a “major incident”, although they ruled out terrorism, saying it appeared to be an isolated event. However, police have not yet released information on what motivated the crash.
Doyle was charged after 70 hours of police questioning, with investigators continuing to process a large volume of evidence, including multiple video clips and dozens of witness statements. Prosecutors said the investigation is still in its early stages, and further developments are expected as the case proceeds.
“The scale and speed of the inquiry reflects the seriousness of what happened,” Hammond said.
Local media identified Doyle as a married father of three teenagers and an IT specialist who once served in the Royal Marines between 1990 and 1994, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Neighbors interviewed by The Times of London expressed disbelief, describing Doyle as a “normal Liverpool dad” and a “genuinely pleasant family man.” Some residents assumed a burglary had occurred when police arrived at his home late Monday night.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of a night that began in jubilation and ended in horror, Merseyside Police are urging anyone with additional video footage or eyewitness accounts to come forward.
