Driver admits killing teenager as she crossed road
Family photoA driver has admitted killing a 15-year-old girl after hitting her with his car as she crossed the street.
Christopher West, 42, struck Keely Morgan with his Vauxhall Astra on Heol Trelai, Caerau, Cardiff at about 21:30 on 1 May 2023 and she died at the scene.
Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard West had been travelling 32-43mph on a road with a 30mph limit.
He also admitted driving without insurance after removing a black box in his vehicle which voided his policy.
Keely was crossing the road, which was well lit with a central reservation, when she was hit by West.
The court heard that no mechanical fault had been found in the vehicle and tests showed no traces of alcohol or drugs in West's system.
Sarah Harding, prosecuting, said the speed at which West was driving and his "failure to reduce that speed appropriately" while approaching the crossing had contributed to the collision.
"The manner of the gentleman's driving in the lead up to the collision… was concerning," she said.
West, from Ely, had young passengers in the car at the time, who gave evidence on the manner of his driving.
Judge Charlotte Murphy concluded that the offence was "too serious" to be dealt with by magistrates and West will now be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on 6 May.
Judge Murphy granted West conditional bail, telling him not to make direct or indirect contact with Ms Morgan's family or to enter certain areas in Caerau.
She also imposed an interim driving disqualification on him until his sentencing.