Zoe Shapiro: Van driver jailed for seven years for killing schoolgirl as she crossed the road
A van driver who struck and killed a teenager as she walked over a pedestrian crossing has been jailed for seven years.
Neel Balu was driving along Birmingham Road, Great Barr, when his Mercedes Sprinter hit 17-year-old Zoe Shapiro.
The Q3 Academy student was thrown through the air and suffered traumatic head and neck injuries. She died within two hours of the crash on February 24, 2016.
Balu's trial heard traffic lights had been on red instructing vehicles to stop at the pedestrian crossing.
And the prosecution alleged he had been distracted and that Zoe had been ‘in plain view’.
READ the heartbreaking tributes paid by Zoe's parents to their daughter described as an 'amazing, beautiful, kind and exceptional young woman'
Balu, aged 43, of Woodside Close, Walsall, admitted causing death by careless driving but denied causing death by dangerous driving.
He maintained he was ‘dazzled’ by the sun and had not seen Zoe or the red lights.
But today a jury at Birmingham Crown Court unanimously found him guilty of driving dangerously.
He was given a seven year sentence and banned from driving for nine-and-a-half years.
Judge Roderick Henderson, said: "You are someone who seems to think that the rules don't apply to you.
"Your excuse that sun was shining in your eyes is one I don't believe, the fact is you weren't paying any attention to the road ahead of you.
"I have no doubt that you feel remorse but your excuses show me that you are some way from accepting responsibility for this.
"You did not notice her at all until the collision because you weren't paying attention."
Mr Simon Davis, opening the case on Monday, said Zoe was around 1.6m from 'safety' when she was hit.
He added: "Balu failed to spot not one but four traffic light posts indicating red against him.
“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."
Dr Caroline Badyal, Q3 Academy principal, paid tribute to Zoe following her death.
She said: "Zoe was a wonderful young lady who cared greatly for her family and friends.
“Zoe’s friends at Q3 Academy have been sharing their memories of her and her kind-hearted nature and how she embraced change and challenge.
"She was a charitable individual who was heavily involved in the Acorns Children’s Hospice."
Anjuli Shergill, Senior Crown Prosecutor with West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Despite overwhelming evidence Neel Balu refused to accept that he drove in a dangerous manner which ultimately caused the death of causing Zoe Shapiro, however, a jury has today found him guilty.
“Our thoughts are with Zoe’s family and friends who have behaved with great dignity throughout these proceedings.”
