The girlfriend of West Ham United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, April Francis, has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a collision in Essex last autumn.
The incident occurred in Brentwood in September, with the footballer’s partner accused of striking a pedestrian with her vehicle.
Essex Police confirmed the 27-year-old, who resides in East London, was charged by postal requisition earlier this month following a review of the evidence by the Roads Policing Unit.
The £55million-rated full-back is not believed to have been present at the time of the collision, The Sun on Sunday reports.
The pedestrian, a woman in her fifties, sustained life-changing injuries when she was struck on Hartswood Road at approximately 8.50am on September 23 last year.
Francis faces one of the most serious motoring charges available under UK law, carrying a maximum prison sentence of five years upon conviction.
She is scheduled to make her first appearance before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on February 17.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman confirmed the hearing date.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has opted to switch his international allegiance from England to DR Congo
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They said: “She is due to appear for a first hearing at Colchester magistrates’ court on February 17.”
Police said its investigation had been ongoing since the collision, with the Roads Policing Unit leading the inquiry that ultimately resulted in the charge.
The force said in a statement: “A woman is due to appear in court charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a collision in Brentwood.
“At around 8.50am on Tuesday, September 23 last year, officers were called to a collision involving a car and a pedestrian in Hartswood Road.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka began his professional career at Crystal Palace before joining Manchester United
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They added: “The pedestrian, a woman aged in her 50s, suffered life-changing injuries.
“An investigation has continued since then, led by our Roads Policing Unit.
“This has resulted in a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving against April Francis, 27, of East London.”
Wan-Bissaka began his professional career at Crystal Palace before joining Manchester United, where he made 130 appearances.
The defender joined West Ham and featured in their 3-1 victory over Sunderland yesterday
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The defender joined West Ham and featured in their 3-1 victory over Sunderland yesterday.
Last year, he opted to switch his international allegiance from England to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He had previously represented the Three Lions at under-20 and under-21 level.
Francis and the defender have been in a relationship since 2020 and are parents to a daughter together.
GB News has reached out to a Wan-Bissaka representatives for comment.
