A Real Shame...

[Jesus]

Toddler dragged to death

Aug 26 2004

By Lisa Smith, Evening Mail

A two-year-old boy has died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver whose car dragged him 300 yards along a Birmingham road.

Joshua Berrill was crossing the road with a 13-year-old auntie Millie Robinson (pictured with Joshua) when a white Toyota MR2 ploughed into them in Burney Lane, Alum Rock.

Police said that Joshua was dragged along the road by the high-powered sports car while Millie suffered a broken ankle and severe shock.

He was left lying next to a paper recycling bin outside the Ward End pub and opposite his grandparents’ home.

Joshua, of Barn House Road, and Millie, who lives in Burney Lane were rushed to Heartlands Hospital after the horrific accident which happened at 7.10pm last night.

Doctors lost a battle to save him early today. Millie was later said to be “comfortable.”

Today Joshua’s grandmother Rosa Robinson broke down as she described the horrific moment she heard that her daughter Millie and only grandchild Josh had been struck by the car.

She said: “We are simply devastated – I don’t know how the driver can live with himself. We just want justice to be done. This man must simply must come forward and give himself up.”

She added: “I had a knock on the door and I was told there had been an accident. I immediately had the most horrible feeling and turned to my partner John and said: ‘This is serious.’”

She said she rushed to the scene to find Millie sitting on kerb screaming: “Where’s the baby, where’s the baby.”

“Millie later told me they were holding hands and crossing the road. She saw a white car coming and felt a sharp bang in her back as she was hit by it.

“Josh was the most loving grandson, a very sociable little boy.”

Josh’s mum, Nona who is five-andahalf months pregnant with her second child was today being cared for by friends and relatives.

Police were today hunting the driver of the vehicle, registration H519 ABV, which was was found by police an hour after the accident.

It had been dumped in Pan Croft, a quiet culdesac about half-amile away. The driver’s door was left open.

It was not stolen and police were today looking into the history of the vehicle.

Today Acting Det Chief Insp Nick Murphy pleaded directly with the runaway driver: “Give yourself up.”

He added: “This is the first time in my career that I have come across come across an incident like this involving such a young child.

“I want the driver to hand himself in order for us to resolve this matter as quickly as possible for sake of the family of the young boy.”

He also appealed for anyone who saw the car race from the scene or being abandoned to come forward immediately.

The white sports car, a favourite with boy racers, was today at a secure police garage where it was due to be examined by forensic experts in the hope it could yield vital clues about who was behind the wheel at the time.

Roads in the area were cordoned off for more than five hours as specialist crash scene investigators carried out an examination.

...please have a little respect and don't post comments on the car being a favourite with boy racers. This is not the issue.

[houston]

this is what sickens me about people racing on streets, all because some little **** drove a car too fast, keep it to the track, even when the driver will be caught he probably wont get full sentance because car accidents are classed as accidental death or some other term

[Fizz]

:o :(

my thoughts go out to the family and frinds of the little boy.... :(

[T V O R]

An 18-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The MR2 involved in the accident was found abandoned...

Why be released? It’s murder surly?

Whether you kill with a car or a weapon, the result is the same, especially as he didn’t stop...

PS; I’m not religious in any way shape or form but I think your username is disrespectful (no offence intended or implied, just my opinion)

[Karma Supra]

If she saw the car comming, how did it hit her in the back? unless she saw it, misjudged its speed and crossed anyway.

I'm not defending the driver, but everyone jumps to conclusions and accuses the "high-powered sports car" of speeding and or driving dangerously... Nowhere does it mention the car excessively speeding or being out of control??

Clearly the driver should have stopped, but funny things happen when you knock someone over (not that I know!) one natural human instict when something horrid happens is to just run away and hide.... There are no whitnesses and "Millie" will obviously accuse the driver... Its a fact that teenagers are hit more then anyone else, and more likely be a girl, on the phone etc etc.

Poor littl 'un and I feel for the family, AND the driver...

soemthing disturbing about it being an MR" and "Milly" being my girlfriends name tho!!!

[Karma Supra]

An 18-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

The MR2 involved in the accident was found abandoned...

Why be released? It’s murder surly?

Whether you kill with a car or a weapon, the result is the same, especially as he didn’t stop...

PS; I’m not religious in any way shape or form but I think your username is disrespectful (no offence intended or implied, just my opinion)

Whether you kill with a car or a weapon, the result is the same, especially as he didn’t stop...

the difference is if you pick up a shotgun and go out you have intentions.. when you get in your car you don't turn the key, sit back and think "right lets go kill someone"

Theres murder and theres an ACCIDENT... even though he should have stopped....

[Richard K]

An interview on Central news last night with Millie, said

The toddler let go of her hand and she ran after him only a short distance into the road. She thought the driver was gonna stop intime,

but I'm sure it will be on the news again with more details.

[Richard K]

that's why she may have got struck in the back.

cos she was concentrating on her nephew.

[T V O R]

Part of me feels the parents should take some sort of responsibility.

At end of the day there is a child of 13 looking after another child of 2 on a main road; it’s the drivers who get in the neck all the time.

Its Russian Roulette out there!

Not knowing all the facts about the accident, it’s hard to make an informed opinion, but how many ‘kids’ have you nearly run over?

Bring back the Green Cross Code Man I say...

[Karma Supra]

Bring back the Green Cross Code Man I say...

post pictures of him everywhere and they'll not even leave the house!!

[Richard K]

you do have a point TVOR, but who in here has been

-sent to the shops

take little brother/cousin with you cos he'll want something to.

-round the corner the auntie so and so's house

take little brother/cousin with you cos she hasn't seen how much he's grown.

[T V O R]

Hey kids..... "STOP LOOK AND LISTEN" 30 years later and it’s still with me, and I do stop look and listen...

And Charlie the Cat!

MEoowwwwgrowwwweeeowgrowmiaow Charlie says...never go anywhere with men or ladies you don't know.

Anyone remember Jo and Petunia?

and.... learn to swim young man, learn to swim!

So much for progression........ bring back Public Information Films

Now I’m feeling my age! But I didn’t get run over, I learnt to swim and I still don’t talk to strangers!

:D

[Jesus]

PS; I’m not religious in any way shape or form but I think your username is disrespectful (no offence intended or implied, just my opinion)

Nickname at school. Besides, if you're not religious why should the name be disrespectful? You are associating the name with religion, although you are not in anyway religious. Jesus happens to be a very popular name in Turkey and elsewhere... do you find these people who happened to be given the name from birth also offensive? And you think you're the-voice-of-reason. No offence taken.

[Karma Supra]

However I do find that new Kanye west song and vid offensive..., not that I'm religous at all either...

[Bibbs]

PS; I’m not religious in any way shape or form but I think your username is disrespectful (no offence intended or implied, just my opinion)

Nickname at school. Besides, if you're not religious why should the name be disrespectful? You are associating the name with religion, although you are not in anyway religious. Jesus happens to be a very popular name in Turkey and elsewhere... do you find these people who happened to be given the name from birth also offensive? And you think you're the-voice-of-reason. No offence taken.

the Spanish resturant I used to eat in .. the owner was called Jesus .. never thought of it being religious ..

Does that make all Joe's, Mary's etc allso offensive?

[T V O R]

PS; I’m not religious in any way shape or form but I think your username is disrespectful (no offence intended or implied, just my opinion)

Nickname at school. Besides, if you're not religious why should the name be disrespectful? You are associating the name with religion, although you are not in anyway religious. Jesus happens to be a very popular name in Turkey and elsewhere... do you find these people who happened to be given the name from birth also offensive? And you think you're the-voice-of-reason. No offence taken.

It may well be a popular name in Turkey (a Muslim country) but you’re in Bedfordshire!

If it’s someone’s birth name then no, I’m not offended.

I just think it could be disrespectful to any Christian believers on here, regardless whether or not it’s a nick name, or maybe I’m being to PC?

In same way I wouldn’t use a name of a figure head of any other religious following like Hindu, Muslim Sikhs Mormons etc

Like I said, it’s just my opinion, and I take no offence to your last comment.

[starletsr]

oh my goodness, stop it guys!! we are going way off topic now.....

[breezer]

i agreee!! whats this got to do with the accident

anyway, poor family. everyone has a point, why was a 13 year old lookin after a baby so young? but why was the driver going so fast!! at the end of the day it was the driver who was breaking the law by speading, not the child!

[Bibbs]

i agreee!! whats this got to do with the accident

anyway, poor family. everyone has a point, why was a 13 year old lookin after a baby so young? but why was the driver going so fast!! at the end of the day it was the driver who was breaking the law by speading, not the child!

Yeah .. I agree with "the driver" being in the wrong .. but what about town planners? Why have a busy road next to a pedestrian area?

I've never understood why crossings have to be on busy roads, build a bridge or underpass ..

Cars and pedestrians should not be able to come into contact together .

[starletsr]

yeah the driver must of being young n stupid, such horrid thing to not have stopped.

[breezer]

i agreee!! whats this got to do with the accident 

anyway, poor family. everyone has a point, why was a 13 year old lookin after a baby so young? but why was the driver going so fast!! at the end of the day it was the driver who was breaking the law by speading, not the child!

Yeah .. I agree with "the driver" being in the wrong .. but what about town planners? Why have a busy road next to a pedestrian area?

I've never understood why crossings have to be on busy roads, build a bridge or underpass ..

Cars and pedestrians should not be able to come into contact together .

yeah thats one thing thats bugged me!!! theres a crossing on a 60mph road up here, i nearly hit a bunch of kids coz they jumped out onto the crossing/island!!

[Bibbs]

In Newbury there is a MASSIVE underpass on a roundabout .. and then they ALSO put ped crossings on it ..

WHY?!!?

all main road should be fenced and have underpasses ..

[T V O R]

A lot of underpasses were filled in during the 80’s, especially the ones near me due to crime and drugs.

So I had a choice when I was growing up:

Risk getting mugged in the underpass (which doubled up as a toilet)

Or risk getting bladdered by a car!

[Karma Supra]

why was the driver going so fast!! at the end of the day it was the driver who was breaking the law by speading, not the child!

Where has it said anywhere that he was going too fast?????

The toddler let go of her hand and she ran after him only a short distance into the road. She thought the driver was gonna stop intime,

I think that staement comtaisn the answer. It ran out, she "assumed" the car would stop... would she say the same if it ran out infront of a train?? would the train driver be blamed if it bowled over some kid that ran into its path??

[breezer]

it doesnt! but words such as "ploughed" and "boy racer" it is hard not to assume he was going too fast