Zoe Shapiro: Q3 Academy student killed 'when driver went through red light'
A van driver struck and killed teenager Zoe Shapiro as she walked over a pedestrian crossing 'in plain view' and with traffic lights on red, a court heard this afternoon.
Neel Balu was behind the wheel of a Mercedes Sprinter van when it hit the 17-year-old, throwing her through the air, said Mr Simon Davis, prosecuting.
The opening of Balu’s trial heard Zoe was carried by the van for around 30 ft and came to rest 75 ft from the point of impact on Birmingham Road, Great Barr, on February 24, 2016.
The Q3 Academy student suffered traumatic head and neck injuries and died less than two hours later.
Balu was estimated to have been travelling at at least 37mph when he struck her, the court was told. The speed limit is 30mph.
Balu, aged 43, of nearby Woodside Close, has admitted causing death by careless driving but denies causing death by dangerous driving.
Mr Davis, opening the case at Birmingham Crown Court today, said: “Balu struck Zoe when we say she was in plain view, three to four steps away from the pavement on the central reservation.
“She was around (5ft) from safety when the defendant’s van struck her and killed her.
“The light was on red for the defendant.”
Mr Davis said the crash took place at around 8.30am as Balu was driving from his home to Handsworth.
He said witnesses would state Balu was driving at around 50mph and that they saw no brake lights come on ahead of the van hitting the teenager.
Balu regularly drove on the road, added Mr Davis.
“He failed to spot not one but four traffic light posts indicating red against him,” said Mr Davis.
“For upwards of 361ft he failed to spot Zoe on the crossing when she was there to be seen and was seen by other road users.
“He failed to brake as he struck Zoe, supporting his suggestion he failed to spot the lights were on red and he failed to spot Zoe.
“As he approached the crossing, was he doing something in addition to driving, and was he distracted in some way?”
The court heard in police interview Balu said he had been blinded by the sun and did not know he had hit her until he got out of his car and looked back down the road.
The trial continues.
