Windsor Mom Struck, Killed By Vehicle In Northern Ireland; GoFundMe Account Established

WINDSOR, CT — A dream vacation of a lifetime for a Windsor resident turned into the most unimaginable nightmare for her and her family, after she was struck and killed by a vehicle while sitting on a bench in front of a hotel in Northern Ireland.

Allison Eichner, described in a Police Service of Northern Ireland report as being "in her 40s," was struck by a Ford Transit around 12:15 p.m. last Wednesday in the town of Bushmills, County Antrim. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service treated her injuries at the scene, but she later died at Causeway Hospital, according to the Irish Star.

The operator of the electric car, Cathy Stewart, 66, of Illinois, was arrested and charged with causing death by careless driving. She has been cooperative with detectives from the Collision Investigation Unit, and appeared in Coleraine Magistrates Court last Friday, a police report said.

According to the Independent, a police constable spoke in court, and reported closed circuit footage of the incident showed the Transit pulling into a handicapped parking space at the Causeway Hotel. As the driver's door began to open, the vehicle "moves forward slowly, and then suddenly bolts forward, colliding with a light fixture, outdoor dining furniture and the victim."

Stewart told investigators "she believed she had turned the car off before attempting to exit and as it rolled forward, she tried to apply the foot brake; however, instead she hit the accelerator causing the collision." The constable added she said she had never driven an electric vehicle before.

The Independent reported Stewart was released on a cash surety bond of 5,000 pounds (equal to about 6,800 American dollars). The case is unlikely to be heard until 2026 at the earliest.

A GoFundMe account has been established in support of Eichner's husband Daniel and two sons, "to help with funeral expenses, immediate needs, and to provide some peace of mind as they begin to find their way forward."

As of 6 p.m. Monday, the account has raised $62,600 of its $75,000 goal.

The GoFundMe description reads, in part: "Just days ago, Allison was on a long-awaited, special trip to Ireland to explore her heritage. What was meant to be a time of joy and exploration ended far too soon in an unimaginable tragedy."