Teenager admits causing hit and run death of girl

Katniss Seleznev was killed by a motorcycle in Walsall in July 2023

A teenager has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a seven-year-old girl who was hit by a motorcycle as she was riding her scooter.

Katniss Seleznev died after suffering severe injuries when she was hit by a motorbike that failed to stop in Turnstone Road, Walsall, in July last year.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court's youth court on Wednesday.

Judge Michael Wheeler said the case was too serious for him to pass sentence and ordered he appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 22 May for sentencing.

Prosecutor Simon Brownsey told the court a number of children were playing on the quiet side street when the crash happened.

He said the motorbike involved in the collision had been reported stolen the month before the child's death and was later burned in scrub land.

"CCTV shows the children came around the corner on scooters with Katniss at the back," he said.

"When you look at the footage, what she didn't realise is that she had only seconds to live."

The footage showed Katniss, who later died in hospital, "flying through the air" and landing, the prosecutor continued.

Members of the public rushed to administer CPR before the emergency services were called, the court heard.

Tributes were left at the scene of the crash

Mr Brownsey said Katniss' mother had struggled to leave the house since the crash, describing the impact on relatives as "very grave indeed".

The teenager, who was convicted of taking a car in the weeks before the hit and run, was said to have driven to a nearby road where a number of other young people were.

It was there he was captured on CCTV remarking "she's a vegetable", the court heard.

"Katniss was seven, she was a vulnerable road user," Mr Brownsey continued.

"A very serious aggravating factor is that [the boy] did not stop.

"He carried on, knowing what he had done. Knowing he had, in his words, left her as a vegetable."

Small and very vulnerable

Mr Wheeler said the teenager's crime was in the top category of offending.

"It is a case where you have come into possession of a motorbike and drove it in a way that disregarded the safety of others," the judge said.

"Katniss was very small and very vulnerable. The incident has had a profound effect on her parents."

The judge added the teenager was also guilty of failing to stop at the scene but had not been charged for this offence because a six-month time limit had expired.

Det Sgt Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police, described the guilty plea as a positive step and said the court process needed to run to its conclusion.

“I will continue to remind people that speculation, especially on social media, does not help Katniss’ family," he said.

“Katniss’ death has had a huge impact on her family and our thoughts remain with them as they continue to come to terms with her tragic death.”