A man has been charged with offences including two for causing death by dangerous driving following a collision in Ramsgate that left two people dead and a child seriously injured.
The incident happened in Leopold Street at around 9.35pm on Wednesday (August 10).
A black Alfa Romeo was involved in a collision with five pedestrians, all members of the same family, including father and daughter Yoram Hirshfeld, 78, and Noga Sella, 40, who sadly died.
Noga’s six-year-old daughter suffered serious injuries and remains in a serious but stable condition in a London hospital. Noga’s husband Omer and their eight-year-old son suffered minor injuries.
Noga was a Consultant Physicist living in Cambridge with Omer and the children. Her father Yoram lived in Israel and was in the UK to visit his family.
Nitesh Bissendary, 30, of Highlands Glade, Manston, was arrested shortly after the collision and has since been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He has also been charged with failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision, drug driving and failing to provide a sample for analysis.
He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court today (August 13).
Officers investigating the incident also arrested a 58-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman on suspicion of assisting an offender and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Both have since been released on bail pending further enquiries until Thursday 8 September.
Enquiries into the incident are being carried out by officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit who remain keen to hear from any witnesses, local businesses with CCTV evidence or drivers with relevant dashcam footage.
Please call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DS/DGC/090/22.
On Thursday a vigil led by Ramsgate Town Council and mayor Raushan Ara was held in Leopold Street.
An interfaith service was held with Hélène Cohen, wife of Rabbi Cliff, Father Paul Worledge and representatives from the Salvation Army . Ward councillors Tricia Austin and Becky Wing were among those who brought flowers cards and candles to pay tribute.
UPDATE: Mr Bissendary has been remanded to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on August 22.