A 14-YEAR-OLD girl was killed when a speeding driver struck her down while she crossed the road, an inquest heard.
Olivia Kolek died near a railway station in the West Mids., on her way to a party on New Year’s Eve in 2021.
PAOlivia Kolek was killed on New Year’s Eve in 2021[/caption]
The 14-year-old was hit by a silver Mercedes while crossing the road
SWNSTributes and flowers left at the scene near Rowley Regis Railway Station[/caption]
Brendan Lord, who had cocaine and cannabis in his system, hit the teen with his silver Mercedes while she was crossing Station Road in Rowley Regis, an inquest heard.
Olivia sustained traumatic head injuries after being thrown through the air onto the carriageway.
Paramedics treated the 14-year-old but tragically pronounced her dead at the scene.
Lord, 42, has never been charged with any criminal offence relating to fatal smash.
A decision was made by West Midlands Police after an investigation not to prosecute him.
Black Country Coroners Court heard Lord had been travelling at around 34-38mph in a 30mph zone.
The driver told the inquest he had smoked cannabis the day before the tragedy and was a regular user.
Lord also said he was not feeling any effects of the drug while driving.
He could not explain why cocaine had appeared in his system.
The 42-year-old told Black Country Area Coroner Mrs Joanne Lees he did not agree he was speeding at the time of the collision.
“I do not believe I was travelling that fast. At the time of the accident itself I was doing below 31mph,” said Mr Lord.
“I slowed down at the brow of the hill because of the pedestrians who were in the area.”
The inquest heard a Fiesta driver travelling in the opposite direction also said she didn’t see Olivia crossing moments before hearing a “bang”.
West Midlands Police forensic collision investigator PC Justin Williams said CCTV captured the horror.
PC Williams said: “She was dressed in dark clothing and was talking to a friend on her mobile telephone.
“It was night time, but the conditions were fine a dry. All the street lamps were illuminated.
“At the same time a Mercedes was being driven by Brendon Lord in a easterly direction along Station Road.
“The pedestrian entered the carriageway on Avenue Road some 21 yards from a pedestrian-controlled crossing outside Rowley Regis Railway Station.
“She walked diagonally across the carriageway. The car was travelling at 34-38mph as it passed in front of the station’s car park junction.
“It is likely that the low conspicuity of the pedestrian caused a delay in Lord identifying her presence.
“Testing has shown it is likely he would have become aware of her approximately two seconds before the collision occurred.”
The inquest heard that Olivia had drunk some vodka prior to her death, but it was unknown whether this impaired her judgement.
Mrs Lees said she was not persuaded that Mr Lord, who was driving his family to Birmingham at the time, “could have reasonably expected to see a pedestrian” in the road.
She added: “At the point of which she became conspicuous I am satisfied with the evidence of two seconds before the collision. That doesn’t mean that she was seen.
“The evidence does not enable me to conclude that had the Mercedes been travelling according to the speed limit that the collision would not have occurred.”
She concluded the teenager died as a result of a road traffic collision.
Olivia’s Polish parents Izabela Maziakowska and Lucsaz Kolek wrote in a tribute their only child had a “great sense of humour, loved fashion and had many hobbies including dancing and baking.”
In a statement at the time of her death, they said: “Our love, our heart, our life. We will love you forever and longer.
“She had a lot of plans for so many things to do. She was the brightest star in our life.”
‘WE JUST HAVE TO LIVE OUR LIVES IN PAIN’
Grieving mum Izabela previously told the Sun: “Our Christmas had been so lovely, Olivia always loved this time of year, and New Year which makes it worse.
“She was talking on her phone to a friend because one of her friends later said they had heard a big bang and for someone to call an ambulance.
“Before they knew she was dead, some of her friends had come round to the house to give us presents for New Year – some flowers and wine.
“Like us, they are heartbroken. The house party didn’t take place after this tragedy.
“The police have been brilliant. I can’t complain. They are being helpful and I feel sorry for these guys just out doing their job on New Year’s Eve and having to tell us parents what happened.
“They offered me some of Olivia’s belonging’s I told them just to leave, I don’t want them.
“They cannot find her phone which she was speaking on and which was full of so many pictures.
“She was a beautiful girl, and had done one modelling session which she really enjoyed. It was a tragic accident.
Post Office worker Izabela added: “We had so many happy memories, we were so happy as a family but we’re not a family anymore without Olivia.
“She came into the Post Office where I was working to wish me a Happy New Year, and I gave her some money and told how to enjoy herself and have fun.
“That was the last time I saw her that was her last ever New Year, I can’t believe I’ll never see her again.
“I hope she didn’t suffer, I hope she went quickly. I can’t bear to think of her in pain.”
“It is heart breaking, my husband is devastated and my parents in Poland, Olivia’s grandparents, are so so sad, they don’t feel their best. We are trying to support each other.
“We can’t eat or sleep, our kind friend and neighbour has cooked a meal for us but we can’t eat. Nobody can help us, we just have to live our lives in pain.
“I am absolutely heartbroken. She was my whole world. I cannot imagine life without her anymore.
“I don’t know how I am going to get up and get on with my life. It is broken forever.”
SWNSLord, 42, has never been charged with any criminal offence relating to fatal smash.[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
