01 December 2023 , 17:28
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The family of a 12-year-old schoolgirl killed as she got off the bus broke down in tears as the speeding driver responsible for her death was jailed.
Lexi McDavid was on her way to a friend's home on June 7 last year. She was getting off a bus in Huyton, Merseyside, and ran out into the road when David Pursglove hit her with his white Mercedes Sprinter van. Liverpool Crown Court heard that the 35-year-old was driving around 45mph at the time. The speed limit on the "busy" road, at the time filled with schoolchildren, is 30mph.
As Pursglove was jailed today and banned from driving for almost three years, Lexi’s family broke down sobbing. During proceedings, prosecutor Steven Ball told the court: "After leaving the bus, Lexi ran across the front of the bus into the central carriageway and she was struck by the van, driven by the defendant, at 42.77mph. The force of the collision projected Lexi further up the road. The van screeched to a halt. The defendant immediately got out and summoned help, and the road was quickly sealed off."
David Pursglove, 35, of Moorhey Road, Maghull, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving (Liverpool echo)
Lexi McDavid was on her way to a friend's house when she was hit by the speeding van (Liverpool ECHO)Two passengers from the bus rushed to Lexi's side. They gave her CPR before an ambulance took her to Alder Hey Children's Hospital. But she sadly died at 11.09pm. In an interview, Pursglove told police he believed he was going around 28mph, The Liverpool Echo reported.
However, information gathered from two CCTV cameras and a device on the 35-year-old's work vehicle suggested he was travelling between 46 and 49mph before urgently braking in an attempt to avoid hitting Lexi.
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He pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court in November and was today jailed at Liverpool Crown Court for eight months. He was also banned from driving for two years and ten months.
Frank Dylan, defending, said Pursglove had just two seconds to react as Lexi ran into the road, and that it was likely the collision would still have happened even if he was driving at or below the 30mph speed limit - but added: "The consequences, however, might not have been so severe."
Teddys, flowers and handwritten tributes have been left for Lexi (Liverpool echo)He said: "The defendant at every stage demonstrated real and tangible remorse. He has as a consequence of the incident lost his employment and so far as his personal circumstances are concerned he lives with his mother who is in poor health and he's had two bereavements in recent years, his father and brother. He has been a hard working man throughout his life."
He said Pursglove was of previous good character, with no convictions or driving offences. Judge Stuart Driver said: "This is a tragic case. The family of Lexi have suffered a loss that only they can know and understand. The court thanks them for their dignity in these terrible circumstances."
"This court doesn't have to make a precise finding of how fast your vehicle was going, but we can safely conclude that the van passed the bus at a speed of approximately 45mph, which is approximately 50% above the limit. It was half past three on a school day."
"The film exhibits show many schoolchildren walking home. Passing a stopped bus always requires care, but particularly at that time of day. Lexi was a vulnerable road user, a pedestrian and a child, and you were driving a large van significantly bigger and heavier than a normal car."