Driver admits killing girl, 15, as she crossed road

A man has admitted causing death by careless driving after hitting a 15-year-old while she crossed a road.

Christopher West, 42, struck Keely Morgan while driving his Vauxhall Astra on Heol Trelai, Caerau, Cardiff on 1 May 2023.

She died at the scene of the crash, which happened shortly after 21:30 that evening.

Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard West had been travelling between about 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.

Ms Morgan had been crossing the road, which was well lit with a central reservation, when she was hit by the vehicle driven by West.

The court heard that no mechanical fault had been found in the vehicle following the collision, and tests showed no traces of alcohol or drugs on him.

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,” said Ms Harding.

The court also heard that West, from Ely, had young passengers in the car at the time, who had given 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.