Hit-and-run crash survivor wants forensics career

Caitlin was hit by a speeding car in a hit-and-run crash while she was walking home from school in Erdington, in 2023

A teenager who was left with life-changing injuries when she was hit by a speeding car in a hit-and-run crash is chasing her dreams of a career in forensics.

Caitlin had to relearn how to walk and lost the sight in one eye after she was hit by the car, whose driver was later jailed, while travelling at more than twice the 30mph limit, in Birmingham in 2023.

But now, as part of her ambitions to become a forensics officer, the 16-year-old and her family had a tour on Friday of West Midlands Police's forensics headquarters.

"It's always been a sort of passion of mine... it's always been something I've been interested in, even so more now because of all the help I've been getting," said Caitlin.

"I'm really impressed by all the different areas of forensics and the way that they go about different crime cases.

"I think it's really interesting to look at the digital side of things, as well as looking at when people go out to crimes and look at the fingerprints... it's all really interesting to me."

One of the areas she visited was the forensic collision investigation team

Driver Mervyn Boreland, of Icknield Street in Birmingham, was jailed for three years at Birmingham Crown Court on 1 May this year, after pleading guilty to one charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Recalling some of the injuries he caused, Caitlin said: "I did break my skull, I got 15 fractures in my hips.

"It was really hard with a brain injury as well, especially at a young age when I was just turning a teenager - it was really hard to figure out stuff while everyone else was living their teenage lives.

"Ever since coming out of hospital its been easier and better each day to recover and figure myself out."

Caitlin said doing the tour helped her move forward

Caitlin was shown different areas in the site, including the fingerprint development lab and the forensic collision investigation unit.

"I think coming here and… trying to look where I want to be in the future, it's getting me back on track and helping me recover a lot," she told BBC Midlands Today.

She added that seeing Boreland be sent to prison has also aided her recovery.

"It really did help me come to terms with it and close that book and open a new book into my future, instead of looking back on past events - it's nice to know that I can move on from something and make better of myself."

Her mum Sarah, said: "I think everything Caitlin's been through in the last two years has proved that she is the most determined and resilient child we've ever met."

"I know she can do whatever she wants, when she puts her mind to it, so we're really hopeful she'll follow her dreams and do what she wants."