I forgive you for running me over

AN elderly driver who left a young woman fighting for her life has avoided jail after she forgave him during an emotional meeting.

- BY HOLLIE BONE

Widower Thomas Frazer, 72, hit Ellie Steel with his Vauxhall Insignia as the 17-year-old student stepped on to a zebra crossing while walking home from college.

Ellie suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain as well as fractures to her collarbone, spine and pelvis.

Doctors had to place her in an induced coma, and Ellie, now 18, says she has been unable to finish her studies.

But a court heard despite her suffering, the student “admirably and nobly” agreed to meet Frazer face-to-face and forgave him.

The grandad, a retired HGV driver from Widnes, Cheshire, said he had a momentary lapse of concentration and had not seen the pedestrian as it was dark and raining.

Frazer was so shocked he could not speak when he called 999 and a passerby had to take the phone off him to give details to the operator.

He pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving and was banned from driving for three years, at Warrington magistrates court.