A pensioner who killed a schoolgirl as he mounted the pavement in his car had been warned not to drive three days earlier after he failed an eye test, it emerged an inquest.
Cassie McCord died in hospital 24 hours after she was hit by 87-year-old Colin Horsfall's car in February last year. At an inquest on Friday, it was revealed Horsfall had been involved in a minor accident three days prior to the fatal collision in Colchester, Essex. Police officers had spent two hours trying to persuade the pensioner not to drive again after he failed an eye test, an Essex paper reported.
McCord, a 16-year-old student suffered severe head injuries after Horsfall's car drove onto the pavement. CCTV footage shows Horsfall narrowly avoiding two other pedestrians before he hit the teenager.
At the inquest, PC Daniel Bellingham relayed how Horsfall had failed to read a car registration from 20 metres away, as is required. Bellingham asked if he would surrend his licence but the pensioner refused.
The policeman faxed through a report of the incident to the DVLA two days later but the following morning Horsfall drove to Head Street, in Colchester, mounted the pavement, and hit McCord.
Horsfall later died of the injuries caused by the collision.
Outside the hearing, PS Kevin May said: "Essex Police is actively lobbying for a change in the law to protect the public from drivers whose driving standards fall well below acceptable levels.
"We are pressing for changes to allow police officers to immediately suspend a driving licence and fully support Jackie McCord's campaign and petition."
Coroner Caroline Beasley Murray recorded a verdict of unlawful killing of Cassie McCord, and accidental death of Colin Horsfall.