A VERDICT of accidental death was today recorded on a schoolgirl who died after being struck by a car as she went out for the evening with friends.

Jessica Leigh, 15, of Salisbury Road, Dover, was crossing Bridge Street, Dover, at the junction with High Street and London Road, when the accident happened on September 6 last year.

At the inquest a witness estimated the car was being driven at 50 miles an hour, but the driver, Jason Berry, of South Road, Dover, said he was only doing 28 miles an hour.

Accident investigator PC Andy Sutherland said that after examining all the evidence, he believed the car was travelling in excess of the speed limit, and probably around 40 miles an hour.

Pathologist Dr Charles Lawson said Jessica would have been killed instantly in the impact. She suffered a fracture skull and brain injuries.

Coroner Rachel Redman described it as a tragic case but said she was satisfied Jessica would not have suffered, or known anything about her injuries in any way. It all happened very quickly, she said.

The inquest was told that Mr Berry could be facing criminal proceedings.