Peter Cunningham received phone calls from friends and family after his photo was circulated online
News
12:20, 28 May 2025
Peter Cunningham, 54, from Huyton
Peter Cunningham, 54, from Huyton
The man wrongly accused of driving the car into crowds of people following Liverpool FC's title parade on Monday has spoken out. Peter Cunningham had his phone blow up with phone calls and text messages from family and friends after his name and photograph was wrongly shared in connection with the incident that saw 50 people receive hospital treatment for their injuries on May 26.
Peter, a dad-of-three from Huyton, told the ECHO he was not at the parade or in the city centre on Monday when a Ford Galaxy drove into crowds of people on Water Street shortly after 6pm.
The car is believed to have managed to tailgate behind an ambulance in order to make its way on to Water Street, which had been closed to traffic for the parade event.
It was confirmed that the ambulance had been allowed past a road block at the junction of Water Street and Rumford Street to attend to a man suffering a suspected heart attack when the Galaxy driver followed in behind.
Eyewitness reports suggest some of the pedestrians in the area attempted to stop him from progressing down the closed off street. After this the car sped up and ploughed into those walking along Water Street, creating a scene of devastation.
Police quickly said they had arrested a 53-year-man from Liverpool, before the force announced he was from West Derby and had officially been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs.
In total there were 65 casualties, with 50 people treated at hospitals across the region. 11 of those remained in hospital as of Tuesday afternoon, with police confirming they are all in a stable condition and appear to be recovering well.
Police on Water Street in Liverpool
Police on Water Street in Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Since the arrest, a photo of Peter has been shared on social media which claims the 54-year-old is the man in custody. Speaking to the ECHO today, May 28, he said: "I'm stressed out, I don't need it all.
"It's a bad thing that has happened and the police need to do something about it and get his name out there. Other people's names have been shared.
"It's nothing to do with me, I'm in work right now and the man they arrested is in custody."
Speaking about the moment he found out his name had been shared in connection to the incident, he said: "I was getting phone calls off family members and friends saying 'what the hell is going on?'.
"These YouTubers and people on social media are just sharing it to make money."
Peter claims he has since messaged the account he believes was first to share his photo in connection with the incident, and their post has now been taken down.
Merseyside Police continue to question the man arrested in connection with the crash on Water Street as he remains in custody.