A man has been charged after two people were injured in a hit and run crash in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Daniel Sterling, 40, has appeared in court accused of dangerous driving, knife possession and a racially aggravated public order offence in relation to the incident that took place on January 1.
According to the Metropolitan Police, he is also charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a drug test and assault by beating.
Sterling appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Prosecuting, Edward Aydin described the incident as "highly dangerous".
The defendant, who wore a grey sweater in the dock, confirmed his name and address.
His arrest came after a 21-year-old man and a 59-year-old man were struck by a car just over 10 minutes after welcoming in the new year near Primrose Hill in London.
Both pedestrians sustained minor injuries in the incident, with one being taken to hospital, where his injuries were deemed non-life threatening.
Police swiftly launched an investigation into the incident but have ruled out the possibility of it being linked to terrorism.
The alleged racially aggravated public order offence relates to a security guard.
“At 00:13hrs on Wednesday, 1 January a vehicle was involved in a collision with a pedestrian at the junction of Regent’s Park Road and Primrose Hill Road,” a police spokesperson confirmed following the incident.
“The driver failed to stop at the scene, making off along Primrose Hill Road where a second pedestrian was struck.
“Officers who were in the area as part of the New Year’s Eve policing operation located the vehicle a short distance away at the junction of Primrose Hill Road and King Henry’s Road.
“A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm and possession of controlled drugs.
“The pedestrian who was initially struck, a 21-year-old man, sustained minor injuries that did not require medical treatment.
“The second pedestrian who was struck, a 59-year-old man, was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital where his injuries were assessed as non-life changing.
“An investigation is under way. This is not being treated as a terrorist incident.”
As the capital celebrated the new year, police in London also responded to two stabbings, unrelated to the Primrose Hill incident, hours after the midnight countdown.
Police were first called out to Oxford Street in London where a man had been stabbed a little over 4am in New Year’s Day. No arrests have been made, and the victim remains in a stable condition.
Hours later, police attended a scene in Lambeth where paramedics were treating a 17-year-old boy following a stabbing. He was rushed to hospital and his injuries are being considered life threatening.
