THE driver who killed six-year-old Millie Gribble after veering onto a grass verge to undertake a bus has been cleared of dangerous driving.
Truck driver Stephen Worden ploughed into the youngster as she stepped off a bus in Bilsborrow, near Preston, on August 15, 2023.
Millie Gribble died in hospital after being hit by the truck[/caption]
The six-year-old had been stepping off a bus when tragedy struck[/caption]
Tributes left at the scene after the horror on August 15, 2023[/caption]
The little girl had been making her way to go out for a meal with her family when horror unfolded on the A6 Garstang Road.
Worden, 61, had been trying to pass a stationary bus but swerved to avoid an oncoming double decker.
Just seven minutes into his journey he mowed down pedestrians who had been exiting the parked bus.
Millie was tragically killed while her friend and the pal’s mother were both seriously injured.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Millie’s family said: “Millie was not only an amazing little girl, she was a precious daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend but most importantly she was a priceless gift to us all.
“There are no words to describe how much Millie was loved and how her loss has affected everyone who knew her.
“Millie loved spending precious time with family and friends. She had a passion for playing football, swimming, going on new adventures and was a big fan of music and YouTube.
“Millie loved her pets, her hamster Fang, her brother’s cat Mia and her 14-week-old puppy Duke her little sidekick.
“Millie had so many great qualities; she was kind, caring, funny, clever, energetic and full of life.
“Millie loved being part of a big family and talked about having her own family one day.
“Millie wanted to be a police officer when she grew up so she could help and support those people who needed it.
“In her short 6 years of life she brought so much joy to all our hearts and so many smiles to our faces. We will always cherish the memories we have with Millie for the rest of our lives.
“Whenever Millie entered a room she would never fail to light it up like she did with all our hearts.
“Millie never failed to make us laugh and smile with her mischievous antics and adorable sense of humour.
“’Millie was such a happy little girl who will be eternally missed by her family and friends and all who knew her.
“Millie you may be gone Sweetheart but you will never be forgotten. We hope you are flying with the angels in peace.
“Love you always with all our hearts Mummy and Daddy XXXX”
Wordon pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by careless driving but denied the more serious charge of dangerous driving.
At a trial held at Preston Crown Court, the bus driver told how he heard a bang and then screaming.
He said: “I could see the three children that had got off the bus lying across the floor and immediately I knew they had been hit.”
Jurors were also told witnesses saw Worden attempting to undertake the bus when he mounted the grass verge.
He then came to a “crashing stop” against a lamppost before claiming his brakes had failed, it was said.
Prosecutor Barbara Webster said: “As Mr Worden approached the bus stop, he clearly failed to observe the vehicles ahead of him.
“He failed to see that they were slowing down and stopped. He missed any brake lights. He failed to apply his own brakes at anytime during the dangerous manoeuvre he made.
“He swerved to the left. He mounted the kerb. This was at the same time that [the passengers] alighted from the bus.
“He did not at anytime apply his brakes – we have video footage that shows he did not even brake as he was on the grass verge before hitting Millie and the others.”
The court was told Worden later abandoned his claim that the brakes had failed despite him pumping the pedal.
He instead said the collision was an accident after he lost control of his truck.
A jury cleared the defendant of dangerous driving after deliberating for four hours and 44 minutes.
The 61-year-old will appear at Preston Crown Court on December 9 to be sentenced for causing death and serious injury by careless driving.
He has been granted bail until this date.
Millie’s parents paid a heartbreaking tribute to their daughter[/caption]
Stephen Worden admitted to causing death and serious injury by careless driving[/caption]
