Loved ones say the 13-year-old girl had to learn how to talk, walk, eat drink, swallow and sleep again after the collision on Holly Lane, in Erdington
Mervyn Boreland
The family of a teenage girl who suffered life changing injuries following a hit-and-run collision in Birmingham say they feel ‘pain like nothing else.’
Driver Mervyn Boreland was “recklessly speeding” when he struck the 13-year-old girl on Holly Lane, in Erdington.
The 49-year-old, who was driving between 64mph and 67mph in a 30mph speed limit, left the scene without any concern for the pedestrian he had just hit, West Midlands Police said.
READ MORE: Worst hotspot for vehicle crime in West Midlands revealed as MP says ‘unacceptable’
READ MORE: Body found in police discovery after report of concern for safety
The girl was taken to hospital with serious life threatening and life changing injuries. Her family say it was a “miracle our girl made it through the night.”
While she survived, her life will never be the same as she still lives with the injuries. She’s had to learn to talk, walk, eat drink, swallow and sleep again.
Holly Lane, Erdington
The family of the girl said: “On Saturday 27th May 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.”
An investigation was immediately launched to locate the car and driver.
Police issued appeals for witnesses and carried out CCTV inquiries which led officers to the identification of a black Volkswagen Golf.
Further inquiries found Boreland, of Icknield Street, Birmingham, to be the driver of the car.
He handed himself into custody and was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He was charged in March this year, and after pleading guilty, he was jailed for three years following a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, May 1.
Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the 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.”