THE HIGH Court has ordered the extradition of a Co Galway man wanted in connection with a road crash in Manchester in which one person was killed and another injured.
Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday ordered the surrender to England of John Ward, at Bealach Na Gaoithe, Tuam. Mr Ward's extradition was sought on charges of perverting the course of justice and causing death by causing another to drive a vehicle dangerously on September 10th, 2006, at Ashtown, New Road Clayton, Manchester.
British authorities claimed Mr Ward was driving a transit van which was stationary at a pedestrian crossing when two people, Jane Hughes and Jim Pollard, were crossing the road.
A recovery truck, which it is claimed was co-owned by Mr Ward, clipped the rear of the transit van and collided with the two pedestrians. As a result, Ms Hughes (57) was killed, while Mr Pollard suffered minor injuries. It is alleged the driver of the truck fled the scene.
It was claimed Mr Ward provided a full statement to police but never mentioned he was the co-owner of the recovery truck or that he could identify the driver.