A delivery driver who knocked over and killed a four-year-old girl as she scooted along a pavement has told a jury that he had not seen her.
Little Esme Weir was accompanied by her pregnant mum on her way to pre-school when the tragedy happened on January 15 last year in Gladstone Road, Neston.
Four-year-old Esme Weir
The driver of the Ford Transit tipper truck involved in the incident, Peter Williams, is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court denying a charge of causing her death by dangerous driving.
62-year-old Williams, of Poulton Road, Wallasey, has told the jury of seven women and five men that when he mounted the pavement so as not to block the road he did not see anyone on it.
The court has heard that shortly before this he allegedly waved Esme and her mum Jessica Weir across the top of the road as he was at the junction with Brook Street and Jessica waved back in thanks.
Questioned about this by his barrister, Alistair MacDonald, QC, Williams, who got his driving licence when he was 18 and in the Army, said he did not remember that happening.
“I can’t say it didn’t happen - but I don’t remember it,” he said.
He said he drove down Gladstone Road, where there were cars parked on both sides, at 10mph and then saw a space big enough to park in on his left hand side opposite the house where he was to deliver timber.
Williams said that he “slowed to a stop, indicated and checked my mirrors and drove onto the pavement. I heard a lady screaming and I got out the van to see what had happened and there was little girl on the floor.
“I went to help her. I had blood al over my hands and the mother picked the little girl up and carried her across the road and took her into somebody’s house.”
Flowers and other tributes placed at the roadside in Neston last January
Paramedics and hospital medics tried to save Esme but she had suffered fatal traumatic multiple injuries.
He maintained he had checked his passenger window and mirrors and did not see the victim.
The jury has heard that the front nearside corner of the van struck her scooter, knocking her off and the wheel the ran over her.
Williams said he has not driven since: “I won’t be driving any more. not after that tragic accident.”
He also said he has not slept properly since it happened.
The case continues.
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