The Police Ombudsman has launched a “criminal investigation” into the circumstances around the death of Co Antrim woman knocked down and killed shortly after being spoken to by police.
Shannon McQuillan (19), from Dunloy, died after she was struck by a van on the Moneynick Road, near Toome in Co Antrim, in January, a short time after leaving the back of an ambulance which was taking her to hospital.
Police Ombudsman officials have confirmed to solicitors for her family that after consideration of the material gathered during an initial probe it is now pursuing a criminal investigation.
It is understood the investigation is in relation to 'gross negligence manslaughter' and misconduct in public office in relation to the officers who had last contact with the victim before the accident. It is believed three officers were in attendance at the scene.
Ms McQuillan’s boyfriend Owen McFerran (21), from Ballymoney, was left fighting for his life after the accident which took place in the early hours of January 20 on the main Derry to Belfast road.
A spokeswoman for the Belfast Trust last night said Mr McFerran remains in a stable condition at the Royal Victoria Hospital where he continues to be treated for serious injuries.
It later emerged that the young couple were being transported in an ambulance before the accident but that the journey was “terminated” near Toome.
It is believed the PSNI was called to the scene by paramedics and the last contact officers had with the couple was at a bus layby on the outskirts of the village.
It is understood that Ms McQuillan and Mr McFerran left the ambulance after a conversation with one of the officers.
The pair were knocked down around 20 minutes after the ambulance which was called to treat her left the scene.
The emergency vehicle was initially called to attend to Ms McQuillan earlier in the night after she slipped and fell on ice outside a nightclub in Magherafelt during a night out.
Niall Ó’Murchú, of Madden and Finucane Solicitors, said the Ms McQuillan’s family recently learned of the Police Ombudsman decision.
“Shannon’s father Paul would like to thank the media for the space and privacy he and his family have been given so far,” he said.
“He now wants to await the outcome of this phase of the investigation in privacy, in what is still a very difficult time, to allow due process to run its course.”
