A WITNESS to a fatal collision told police “I could see how fast that car was going” when her friend was hit by a driver in Colchester's Hythe Hill.

A jury was played footage of a witness account given by Leah Green, who was with Alliyah Bell in August 2021 when she was hit by a Ford Kuga driven by Daniel Chappell.

Miss Bell, who was 17, died 11 days later in hospital.

Chappell, 37, denies causing her death by careless driving and is standing trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Trial - a jury is sitting at Chelmsford Crown CourtTrial - a jury is sitting at Chelmsford Crown Court (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Miss Green told police in an interview after the incident how she and Miss Bell were walking back to her address after drinking at the Royal Mortar pub and Old Heath Recreational Ground in Colchester.

They were on Hythe Hill shortly after 2.15am on August 29, 2021, to buy chips from a nearby takeaway.

Miss Bell was said to be walking on double yellow lines on the left-hand side of the road while Miss Green was three metres behind her on the pavement when the collision happened.

Miss Green later told a police officer: “It was just a dead road – it’s not a dangerous spot at all.

“I was only about half way down the hill and I heard a ‘ding’ from my phone.

“I just stopped to have a look and I looked up and there was just a flash, it really was – that’s how I would describe it.

“I could see how fast that car was going with my own eyes.”

After the video interview was played to the jury, Miss Green was cross-examined by defence barrister Donal Lawler, who asked her how long she was looking in her bag for her phone.

She said: “I just want to proclaim it was one second – I looked in my bag and I looked up, and…”

Friends - Alliyah Bell was with Leah Green in Hythe Hill when she was struck by a car three years agoFriends - Alliyah Bell was with Leah Green in Hythe Hill when she was struck by a car three years ago (Image: Contributed)

Mr Lawler said: “You hadn’t been aware of any car at that point? Did you hear a collision?”

Miss Green replied: “I heard a bang – I heard a very loud bang.”

She continued: “I just saw her lying there in the road.”

Mr Lawler asked: “And Alliyah smacked the floor?” to which Miss Green replied: “Yes.”

Chappell, of Prince Philip Road, Colchester, is expected to give evidence later this week.

The trial continues.

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