Man charged after Jewish family almost knocked down at pedestrian crossing by driver
GMP: David Smith has been charged with five counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of dangerous driving
The police have confirmed that a man has been charged in connection with an incident on Tuesday in which a Jewish family were almost knocked down by a car running a red light at a pedestrian crossing.
In a statement from Greater Manchester police, a spokesperson said that “David Smith (11/09/1976) of Curzon Street, Salford, has been charged with five counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of dangerous driving.
“The charges relate to a report of suspected dangerous driving made to local officers on Leicester Road in Salford on Tuesday 19 May 2026. Thankfully, no one was injured.
“He has been bailed to appear at Manchester Crown Court on 25 June.”
Leicester Road is in the Broughton Park area of Manchester, which contains one of the largest strictly orthodox communities in the country. Video footage of Tuesday’s incident had been shared widely on social media, showing a strictly orthodox family waiting at a pedestrian crossing. A white Mercedes, which had been stationary, began to move only once the light had turned red and people starting to cross. Only the quick reaction of those trying to cross the street appeared to avoid injuries.” Police had confirmed on Wednesday that a man had been arrested in connection with the incident.
In their latest statement in the wake of a man being charged, GMP went on to say that “officers are still appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. They are particularly keen to speak to anyone with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5236 quoting log 2483 of 19/05/2026.”
Both the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and CST had thanked the police earlier this week for their swift response.
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