Brownhills hit and run tragedy driver 'told police she'd hit deer'

A hit and run driver who knocked down a 24-year-old man who died from his injuries told police she hit a deer, magistrates heard.

Jamey Coleman was struck by a car on the A5 Watling Street, Brownhills on his way back from a night out at the nearby White Horse pub.

But the driver, 23-year-old Bethany Ward, did not stop at the scene - a well lit area near the town centre. She was later identified after police officers checked road cameras to find the vehicle responsible.

She admitted traffic offences of failing to stop, failing to report a collision and driving not in accordance with her licence at Walsall Magistrates Court.

Mr Coleman, of Springhill Road, Brownhills, was hit by the car at about 3.20am on March 30.

He was on his way way home with his friend Thomas Tonks when he was struck, Mr Mark Cooper, prosecuting, told the court. He said both had been drinking.

"Mr Tonks says Mr Coleman was a little way ahead of him on the A5 heading towards The Parade, towards High Street to buy some food.

"Then he says the next thing he saw was his friend flying through the air and the front of the car going underneath his friend. He didn't see any brake lights. It didn't stop, but sped off and carried on down the road.

"Unfortunately Mr Coleman died of his injuries at 9.30am that morning."

Police investigations led to automatic number plate recognition cameras being checked and that led officers to Ward's door, after they found a match for the description they had been given of her Peugeot.

When they called at her home, in Bentons Lane, Great Wyrley, they noticed that the front of the car was damaged.

"When she was arrested she initially said that she was on her way from work and that she had struck a deer and carried on her journey. Forensic tests revealed that glass from the front of the car was found in the deceased man's clothes. It was the defendant's car that struck him," he added.

Mr Coleman, of Springhill Road, Brownhills, was described by his family as 'a kind hearted young man, always up for a laugh'.

After the hearing his sister Simone said the family was disappointed Ward was only charged with traffic matters.

"Why couldn't it have been the more serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving? We think it's ridiculous. There is no justice for Jamey at all," said Miss Coleman, aged 23, of Sussex Avenue, Aldridge .

The case was adjourned for sentencing to October 16. Ward was given unconditional bail.