Little girl, 4, hit & killed while walking on pavement after Eid celebrations – as careless driver, 23, pleads guilty

Scottish Sun

21 hours ago

The youngster's mother was also left with serious injuries
SMASH TRAGEDY Little girl, 4, hit & killed while walking on pavement after Eid celebrations – as careless driver, 23, pleads guilty
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A FOUR-year-old girl was tragically killed after a careless driver, 23, ploughed into the pavement.
Mayar Yahia was struck down on a Birmingham street while walking with her family after celebrating Eid.
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Mayar Yahia, 4, was killed last year in the Birmingham crash
Credit: SWNS
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The little girl's father paid a heartbreaking tribute
Credit: BPM
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Javonnie Tavener will be sentenced at a later date
Credit: West Midlands Police
Horror unfolded on April 14 last year when Javonnie Tavener sped through a barrier in his Corsa.
He ploughed into the little girl, her mother Sara, and their neighbour on Upper Highgate Street.
She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives
Mayar's grieving father
Paramedics tragically pronounced the tot dead at the scene, while Sara and her friend were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Three other pedestrians were also hurt in the crash.
Cops later detained and charged 23-year-old Tavener with causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.
He pleaded guilty to all charges at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday this week.
The defendant has been remanded in custody while awaiting a sentencing date.
In a statement, released via West Midlands Police at the time of her death, Mayar's grieving father said words failed to capture his grief.
He said: "It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the devastating loss of our cherished daughter, Mayar.
"She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives.
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"Among all, she held a special place in my heart.
"Words fail to capture the depth of our grief and the magnitude of this loss.
"However, we find solace and strength in the unwavering support and compassion shown by the police officers, our community, family, and friends.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have stood by our side, offering your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time."
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from WMP'S serious collision investigation unit, said: "Mayar was just four years old when her life was tragically taken away from her.
"She was walking back with her family and friends after celebrating Eid.
'Pedestrians should be afforded and be reassured of protection when walking on the pavement and a split-second decision by Tavener to overtake where he did has led to this tragic chain of events.
'I would urge all drivers to think about this incident and how those decisions can have such catastrophic consequences."
The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads.
It will stop traffic from reaching a stretch of Upper Highgate Street near New Hope Community Park.
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The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads
Credit: Better Streets for Birmingham
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The scene of the collision on Upper Highgate Street last April
Credit: BPM