Man jailed for hit and run collision in Erdington which left girl with life-changing injuries

Mervyn Boreland was sentenced to three years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on May 1, nearly two years after the incident on Holly Lane in Erdington which left a 13-year-old girl with serious and life-changing injuries.

The court heard how on Saturday, May 27, 2023, Boreland was recklessly speeding in Holly Lane and, at around 5.20pm that day, he hit a then 13-year-old girl as she crossed the road, and then drove off without any concern for the pedestrian he had just hit.

Forensic examinations showed that Boreland was driving between 64 and 67mph, despite Holly Lane having a 30mph speed limit.

The girl was taken to hospital with serious life threatening and life changing injuries, injuries she still lives with today.

An investigation was immediately launched by West Midlands Police to locate the car and driver, with appeals issued for witnesses and CCTV enquiries carried out by officers.

The force said this led them to the identification of a black Volkswagen Golf, with further enquires finding Boreland to be the driver of the car.

The 49-year-old, of Icknield Street in Birmingham, handed himself into custody and was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, a charge he pleaded guilty to at Birmingham Crown Court.

The family of the girl, said: "On Saturday, May 27, 2023, our perfect family life changed forever. On that day, the events that occurred, I would not wish on our worst enemy.

"Nobody can prepare you for that knock on the door.

"In what can only be described as a miracle, our girl made it through the night. 

"We are incredibly grateful to the emergency response teams that cared for her that day, and the medical staff that supported her recovery.

"Our daughter is our inspiration. She fought and continues to fight as hard as anyone we have ever met.

"Over the following months she has had to learn how to talk, walk, eat drink, swallow, sleep. But she did it.

"Watching your child struggle every single day just to do the bare minimum that we take for granted is heart breaking.

"The pain felt when putting these memories into words is so deep, it is a pain like nothing else."

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the West Midlands Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Again, this is an example of showing that speeding has devastating consequences. 

"Our investigations showed Boreland was travelling at over double the speed limit in a residential street, and then rather than stopping to help, he drove off.

"No family should go through the devastation that this child and her family have gone through and still do to this day. 

"The level of injuries sustained were catastrophic but thankfully we have seen an incredible fight to survive.

“I have read the heart breaking Victim Personal Statement provided by what I can only describe as a strong and amazing young person and I would say to her, you are an inspiration to others and the courage and fortitude you have demonstrated is a shining example to us all.”