Police in the English city of Derby arrested a man after a car struck pedestrians in the busy city center, sending seven people to hospitals, Derbyshire Constabulary said. Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said the police arrested the man on suspicion of attempted murder and that counterterrorism officers were assisting the local investigation.
Aldred said the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Friar Gate, which is described as a popular night spot in central Derby. She told reporters that the investigation included counterterrorism officers, a step she said is common practice for this type of incident.
During a news conference on Sunday, Aldred sought to clarify how the case was being handled. She said the police were not treating the incident as terrorism and that officers were keeping an open mind about what motivated the attack.
Derby is a city of about 275,000 people northeast of Birmingham, according to the statement to reporters. Police said the arrest followed the crash, with a 36-year-old Derby man taken into custody a short distance away.
Aldred did not provide details on the injuries or the condition of the people hurt, but Derbyshire Police said all seven injured people were taken to hospitals. The 36-year-old man remained in police custody as officers continued their investigation.