The accident that left a 13-year-old girl brain damaged should come as a warning to both drivers and pedestrians, especially younger ones. Barry Buckley, 22, was in court regarding the accident where he drove into the group of teenagers. He was fined £250 and given a 12-month driving ban.
The court heard that Paige was one of ten teenagers walking along an unlit country lane without pavements at around midnight. The group was not in single file and was wearing dark clothing. This is what the prosecution argued at the trail that went ahead at Derby Crown Court. Buckley denied dangerous driving but admitted driving without due care and attention.
Paige was the most severely injured of the group, and four out of ten of them were taken to Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Paige did not open her eyes for three weeks after the accident, her parents feared she wouldn’t recognise them as she didn’t respond to any of their questions.
Nick Worsley, defending, said that Buckley could not say enough to express his sorrow for what had happened. He said: “In the circumstances, the conditions that night were difficult. He is truly sorry and appreciates he will be disqualified”
At one stage, Mrs Holmes was asked by doctors if she wanted Paige’s life-support machine turned off but she refused.
The roads are a dangerous place for both drivers and pedestrians, and what happened to Paige should remind us all of that. If out on the road at night try to wear bright coloured clothing so that other drivers can see you, and always walk towards oncoming traffic. This will help them to see you, and prevent future accidents.