We demand justice, says hit-and-run victim's family
The family of a Brownhills man who died after being struck by a hit and run driver have launched a campaign for the driver to be prosecuted under a more serious charge after she was convicted of traffic offences.
Jamey Coleman, aged 24, died from serious head injuries after the collision with the Peugeot driven by Bethany Ward who later told the police officers she thought had hit a deer.
He was attempting to cross the A5 Watling Street when she struck him in the early hours of March 30.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) told the Express & Star she was charged with the lesser offences after a senior prosecutor reviewed the case and found that there was no physical evidence at the scene of the collision, no CCTV evidence and very little eyewitness evidence.
After the hearing attended by Mr Coleman's family and friends his mother Tracey, 51, said: "I am so angry. There is no justice for Jamey. She faces two motoring offences and walks free. She can do what she wants, go to work and carry on with her life. She has taken that away from my son.
"Where is her remorse? They said in the court that she was remorseful, but I haven't seen it.
"The sentence is really disappointing. It makes you lose faith in the police. The justice system is rubbish."
His aunt Kirston Swann, 36, revealed that the family were now writing to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)to appeal for Ward to be charged with the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving or death by careless driving.
Restaurant worker Ward, aged 23, of Bentons Lane, Great Wyrley, was banned from the road for 12 months, given a 12-month community order and told to carry out 250 hours unpaid work, along with being ordered to pay £85 costs and £80 victim surcharge.
Mr Coleman, of Springhill Road, a former pupil at Brownhills School, died in hospital the following day.
CPS spokesman Vinny Bolina said: "In order for a prosecution to take place the prosecutor has to be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the driving of Ms Ward fell below the standard of a careful driver and that this led to the collision.
"Due to the lack of evidence, which would have provided a realistic prospect of proving that Ms Ward's driving fell below or far below the standard of a reasonable, competent and prudent driver in the prevailing circumstances, we were unable to charge Ms Ward with causing Mr Coleman's death by careless or dangerous driving."
He said the service had written to the family in September to explain its decision, but that the Colemans were entitled to a Victim's Rights Review if they disagreed.
