Latest news with #KeelyMorgan
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Schoolgirl, 15, hit & killed by ‘show off' driver months after she had life-saving kidney transplant
A SCHOOLGIRL has been killed by a "show off" driver just months after receiving a life-saving kidney transplant. Keely Morgan, 15, was pronounced dead at the scene in Caerau, Cardiff after being fatally struck on a pedestrian crossing. 7 7 7 Christopher West, 42, was driving his two daughters and their friend when he hit the schoolgirl at about 9:30pm on 1 May 2023. Now, over two years later, Keely's parents have revealed their "incredible" daughter had received a life-saving kidney transplant just months before she was tragically killed. West admitted to killing the teenager at Cardiff Magistrates' Court in May, where it was also heard that the dad had been driving between 32 and 42mph on a road with a 30mph limit. After hitting the girl, West was arrested and questioned by police who also performed a drugs and alcohol test on the driver. Both test results came out negative. Judge Murphy granted the dad conditional bail and told him not to make any contact - direct or indirect - with Keely's family or to enter certain areas in Caerau. He has also been banned from driving until his sentencing. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard that West had been driving a "little fast" and had been "snaking" his Vauxhall Astra. The court also heard the dad turned to his daughters and said: "Shall I remove the black box?" before driving from Barry Island to Ely. His daughter said her dad had been "showing off" on the drive. Billionaire airline CEO's wife 'runs down and kills babysitter, 24, crossing road before FLEEING holiday island' Kevin Seal, representing West, said his client had shown genuine remorse for causing the teenager's death, adding that he would have to live with the grief and regret for the rest of his life. The court also heard a number of emotional statements read by Keely's family including from her mum, Sian Morgan. Sian said her daughter had been given a "second chance of life" aged 13 and had fought "so hard" to live a normal life. The tragedy of her "preventable" death will haunt her forever, she continued. 7 7 In a victim statement, she said: "She fought so hard to have the opportunity to live a normal life and have the joys of being a teenager. "She remained brave, courageous, and positive, but those dreams have been cruelly taken from her in an instant. "She'll never be able to finish school, go to university, follow her dreams, experience the joys and the milestones of life. "She had so much love to give. She was truly an incredible person with promise and a future ahead of her." The young girl's devastated parents described the tragedy as "beyond repair" and a loss they will carry for the rest of their lives. Sian said: "Every day I wake up and relive a nightmare. Her loss ripples through every part of our lives. Her life mattered. Her death must mean something. No sentence will ever bring her back. Sian Morgan "My heart aches every day for my daughter who I can no longer hug or see the incredible person she could have been. "The world is a darker place without her. The trauma of losing her in a sudden, violent, but preventable way haunts us." She added: "This was totally avoidable. That one decision, that one moment, took everything from us. "A pedestrian crossing is meant to protect people like Keely who was using the crossing appropriately as she had a right to do so but she was struck and killed. "Her life was taken by the drastic failure of you and you alone. You had a duty to uphold fundamental safety laws of being safe while driving and you chose not to do so. "She was an irreplaceable part of my life and her family loved her more than words can say. "Her life mattered. Her death must mean something. No sentence will ever bring her back." Sentencing has been adjourned until July 17 at Cardiff Crown Court. 7 7
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Girl, 15, killed at a pedestrian crossing by 'show off' driver - just months after she had a life-saving kidney transplant
A 15-year-old girl was killed at a pedestrian crossing by a 'show off' driver just months after she was given a kidney transplant to save her life. Schoolgirl Keely Morgan had 'so much to give' after the transplant - and was described by her heartbroken mother as 'brave and courageous'. But she was struck at the crossing by Christopher West, 42, who claimed he 'hadn't seen' Keely when he knocked her down. West's two daughters and a friend were in the back of his car when, before setting off, he turned to his children and said: 'Shall I remove the black box?' before doing so. His passengers described him driving 'a little fast' and 'snaking' the Vauxhall Astra in the journey from Barry to Cardiff before he struck Keely. In a victim personal statement, the teenager's mother Sian Morgan said: 'Keely was only 15 years old when she was struck and killed by a car at a pedestrian crossing, a place she should have been safe, just making her way home. 'This tragedy has shattered my family beyond repair and is a loss we will carry for the rest of our lives.' In a victim personal statement, the teenager's mother Sian Morgan (pictured) said: 'Keely was only 15 years old when she was struck and killed by a car at a pedestrian crossing, a place she should have been safe, just making her way home' Ms Morgan said Keely had been given a 'second chance of life' aged 13 when she received a kidney transplant. She said: 'She fought so hard to have the opportunity to live a normal life and have the joys of being a teenager. She remained brave, courageous, and positive, but those dreams have been cruelly taken from her in an instant. 'She'll never be able to finish school, go to university, follow her dreams, experience the joys and the milestones of life. 'She had so much love to give. She was truly an incredible person with promise and a future ahead of her.' Her mother said 'no words' could describe the pain of losing Keely. 'Every day I wake up and relive a nightmare. Her loss ripples through every part of our lives. My heart aches every day for my daughter who I can no longer hug or see the incredible person she could have been. 'The world is a darker place without her. The trauma of losing her in a sudden, violent, but preventable way haunts us.' She told West: 'This was totally avoidable. That one decision, that one moment, took everything from us. 'A pedestrian crossing is meant to protect people like Keely who was using the crossing appropriately as she had a right to do so but she was struck and killed. 'Her life was taken by the drastic failure of you and you alone. You had a duty to uphold fundamental safety laws of being safe while driving and you chose not to do so. 'She was an irreplaceable part of my life and her family loved her more than words can say. Her life mattered. Her death must mean something. No sentence will ever bring her back.' A previous hearing was told a collision investigator estimated West was driving at 38 mph when he struck Keely in the 30mph zone. Emergency services were called to the scene in Caerau, Cardiff, but Keely was tragically pronounced dead. A post mortem examination found she tragically died from blunt force injuries following the crash in May 2023. West, of Ely, Cardiff, will be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Driver, 42, 'deliberately removed black box' before hitting and killing schoolgirl, 15, at zebra crossing, court hears
A driver deliberately removed his black box from his car before hitting and killing a schoolgirl a court has heard. Christopher West, 42, was allegedly speeding in a 30mph zone when he struck schoolgirl Keely Morgan, 15 in Heol Trelai in Caerau, Cardiff, in May 2023. Just hours earlier, she had spent the May Day bank holiday with her family at the seaside in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, and had gone for an evening walk after they had returned home. Her family described her as having a 'beautiful smile that would light up a room' and that she would 'never be forgotten.' A court heard that West had been 'showing off' to two young passengers before the fatal crash. Keely was hit as she stood waiting at a zebra crossing at about 9.30pm and died at the scene. A post-mortem examination concluded that she died as a result of 'multiple blunt force injuries'. West has admitted causing death by careless driving and driving without insurance due to the black box being removed from his black Vauxhall Astra. However he disputes that he deliberately removed the black box and the manner of his driving. Prosecutor Claire Wilks said a collision investigator estimated West was driving at 38miles per hour when he struck Keely in the 30mph zone. She said: 'PC Littlewood's calculation and his general conclusions put the speed at 38 miles per hour - almost 30 per cent in excess of the speed limit.' Ms Wilks said West's 'deliberate removal' of the black box was 'consistent with him then showing off' as he drove on a journey from Barry to Cardiff on the night of the crash. Emergency services were called to the scene in Caerau, Cardiff, but Keely was tragically pronounced dead. Kevin Seal, defending, said West would not have removed the black box deliberately as he knew it would invalidate his insurance. Judge Paul Hobson said a further hearing would have to take place into the disputed evidence so a ruling could be made ahead of sentence. West, from Ely, Cardiff, was bailed ahead of a further hearing at Cardiff Crown Court next week. West has admitted causing death by careless driving and driving without insurance due to the black box being removed but disputes that he deliberately removed it A previous hearing was told no mechanical fault had been found in the vehicle and there were no traces of alcohol or drugs in West's system. In a tribute, Keely's mum Sian Morgan and stepdad Liam Coulthard said, 'Keely always had such a beautiful smile that would light up a room. 'She was sensible, kind and not one person ever had a bad word to say about her. Rest in peace Keely. You will never be forgotten.' In a tribute released previously, they added: 'Fly high my beautiful cousin. Love you with all my heart. 'Keep the sky beautiful for us my strong girl done everyone proud.' Paying tribute to Keely a once-white container near a park in Caerau has been transformed into a colourful tribute painted by renowned graffiti artist Tee2Sugars. The artist, from Merthyr, created art around Wales such as the Gavin & Stacey mural in Dinas Powys and the Eisteddfod mural in Pontypridd. Tom Llewellyn of Tee2Sugars said it had taken roughly three days to complete. He has received praise from the community in Careau who were left devastated following the tragedy. He said: 'It's been bananas. The local people have all been down (to the mural) and are just happy that it's been done.' After images of the mural were posted online, many complimented the new artwork. One commented: 'Wow I've never seen anything like it, it looks so real I had goose bumps when I seen this. It's absolutely amazing for a beautiful young girl.' Another wrote: 'This is such a beautiful artwork that captured her beautiful soul.' A third said: 'Hope this brings comfort to the family and we all get to see a beautiful face every time we pass there. She has brightened up Caerau, RIP beautiful.'
