Hit and run driver jailed for crash that injured teenage girl

Stuart Magee struck then 13-year-old Ellie Cowley as she was crossing Hale Road in Widnes, opposite the junction with Berry Road, with her cousin at 12.45pm on Saturday, March 27.

Ellie sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident and was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Magee, who was driving a dark grey Mercedes involved in the collision, failed to stop at the scene.

Officers investigating subsequently located a car, matching the description of that involved in the collision, in the Hunt’s Cross area of Liverpool later that day.

They arrested the 34-year-old, who had made his way to the Blackpool area, and he was later charged with a number of driving offences.

Magee, of Hayes Avenue, Prescot, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, November 8 for a week-long trial.

At the beginning of the trial, he pleaded guilty to failing to stop, failing to report a collision and dangerous driving following the collision, but pleaded not guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The incident occurred on Hale Road near the junction with Berry Road (Image: Google Maps)

Today, Thursday, a jury found him guilty of that offence and he was jailed for 32 months.

He was also disqualified from driving for a period of three years four months.

In a statement following the sentencing, the family of now 14-year-old Ellie spoke of how the past seven and a half months have been ‘a living nightmare’.

“On March 27, 2021, Ellie went out for a walk with her cousin Kayleigh. Less than an hour later, we were being prepared for the fact that Ellie might die,” they said.

“Not only had that, but the man who hit her with his car left her dying in the road.

“No sentence he is given will ever be enough to compensate for the pain and suffering we have all endured, but the verdict today gives us comfort that he has been brought to justice.

“He has tried to escape justice by not only fleeing on the day, but then trying to blame the girls saying they were to blame – but they were not.

“They were two innocent girls crossing the road and enjoying their day – this has been proven today.

“We would like to thank all the amazing people involved in helping Ellie that day and during her recovery.

“The off-duty paramedics in particular no doubt gave her the immediate medical care needed to start the process of saving her life.

“Finally, we would like to thank Cheshire Police for their investigation which caught this man and brought him to justice.”

PC Cath Hilton added: “Ellie is now 14 and is having to cope with not only the trauma of being in such a serious collision, but also the long recovery journey she is facing with the support of her family and medical staff.

“What should have been a springtime walk with a cousin ended in a real tragedy for the family, who are coming terms with what happened that day.

“Thankfully, Ellie is still here with them and is getting the support she needs to help her through the ordeal.

“The fact Magee left the scene and then put them through a trial has understandably caused further distress.

“I hope that today’s verdict will give them some sense of relief. They have suffered enough.”