Not the best start to the season one could hope for:
Finnan may still face rest-drive charges Jul 2 2005
By Kate Mansey Daily Post Staff
PREMIERSHIP footballer Steve Finnan has been told he could still face charges of rest by dangerous driving after his bail was extended due to an ongoing police investigation.
The Liverpool FC player was involved in an accident on January 27 when his black Range Rover struck an 81-year-old pedestrian crossing West Derby Road, in Liverpool.
Retired merchant seaman Henry Stuart Nelson, of Elm Park, was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where he died six days later.
Finnan had been driving away from the city centre on the busy road's east-bound carriageway, near the junction with Boundary Lane at Tuebrook when the accident happened.
A collision investigator report was launched following the incident.
The findings are currently being considered by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Merseyside Police arrested Finnan three months later on April 11 under suspicion of causing rest by dangerous driving.
He was released on the same day without charge to answer bail this week.
But Finnan was told on Wednesday that police have pushed the date back to July 11 as they continue to look into the possibility of charges.
Now the 29-year-old defender will have to play the Champions League Qualifying Round ties not knowing whether he might face a future court hearing.
As a result of the continuing investigation, Mr Nelson's family has been forced to wait to hear exactly how he died as the inquest has been ajourned while the investigation continues.
At the opening of the inquest, Liverpool Coroner Andre Rebello described the 81-year-old's rest as "a tragic loss".
He added: "Mr Nelson received very severe head injuries as a result of the collision and was taken to the Royal University Hospital where he remained until his rest on March 3, some six days later."
The inquest on Mr Nelson was adjourned until July 4.
Mr Rebello said: "We must wait to see whether serious criminal charges are brought before I can continue with the inquest.
"It depends on what is decided at that time."
The inquest opened in March following a post mortem by Dr Timothy Hellwell on the body of Mr
Nelson. Jack Nelson, Mr Nelson's brother, identified the body witnessed by Merseyside constable Anne Roberts.
Finnan, who originally comes from Limerick, started his career at non-league Welling before moving into league football with Birmingham and Notts County.
In November 1998, he was bought by Fulham for £600,000 before moving to Liverpool ahead of the 2003-4 season.
