Speeding driver killed girl, 14, day after smoking cannabis

Telegraph

09-05-2025

A speeding driver who had been smoking cannabis killed a 14-year-old girl as she crossed the road, an inquest has heard.
Olivia Kolek was killed in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, on New Year's Eve in 2021 when Brendan Lord drove into her in his Mercedes. She died at the scene from head injuries after being flung into the air in the collision.
Black Country coroner's court heard Mr Lord, 42, had the remnants of cannabis and cocaine in his system when he drove into the teenager at between 34mph and 38mph in a 30mph zone.
He told the inquest he used cannabis regularly and had smoked it the day before the collision, but could not account for the presence of cocaine
Mr Lord was arrested on suspicion of drug driving but has never been charged.
The inquest heard Olivia was crossing the road near Rowley Regis train station at the time of the collision.
'She was dressed in dark clothing and was talking to a friend on her mobile telephone,' Pc Justin Williams, a forensic collision investigator at West Midlands Police, said.
'It was night time, but the conditions were fine [and] dry. All the street lamps were illuminated. At the same time a Mercedes was being driven by Brendon Lord in a easterly direction along Station Road.
'The pedestrian entered the carriageway on Avenue Road some 21 yards from a pedestrian-controlled crossing outside Rowley Regis Railway Station. She walked diagonally across the carriageway. The car was travelling at 34-38mph as it passed in front of the station's car park junction.
'It is likely that the low conspicuity of the pedestrian caused a delay in Lord identifying her presence. Testing has shown it is likely he would have become aware of her approximately two seconds before the collision occurred.'