A KIDDERMINSTER man who knocked down and killed a teenage girl on her way to school, has been jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Neel Balu, of Peregrine Grove, was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van, when he hit 17-year-old Zoe Shapiro as she used a pedestrian crossing on a dual carriageway in Birmingham Road, in Walsall.

Balu, a self-employed builder, was driving towards Birmingham, when the collision took place in February 2016.

The court heard Zoe was just a few steps away from reaching the safety of the central reservation when she was hit.

Zoe suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she died.

Balu was arrested at the scene.

The court heard Balu had been speeding at the time of the collision and had gone through a red light before hitting Zoe.

Balu claimed in his defence that he was trying to wipe away ice from his window and had been dazzled by the sun which distracted him.

In order to collect the most accurate forensic evidence for the case, the force enlisted the support of Professor Mark Williams from Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, who used state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology, normally used within the automotive industry.

Using the scanner, the professor and his team managed to prove the injuries suffered by Zoe matched the damage caused to the vehicle. A 3D virtual scene of the collision provided critical evidence for the prosecution.

Professor Mark Williams said: "State-of-the-art 3D imaging technology allowed us to precisely recreate multiple elements of the crime scene, and put together the pieces of what really took place.

"It is an honour to provide evidence to this investigation and to help the police in uncovering the truth about that tragic day."

Zoe's devastated mother, Joanne Corbett, paid tribute to an "amazing, beautiful, kind and exceptional young woman", while her father, Dominic Shapiro, said Zoe was his "only child, the centre of my universe, my best friend".

Sergeant Adam Green, from the force's regional Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This was a devastating tragedy for Zoe's family and we are pleased that the judge's sentence reflects the enormity of Balu's actions that day.

"His actions have cut short the life of an aspiring young woman and cost her family the joy of watching her achieve her potential.

"Balu drove for approximately 100 metres without seeing the red traffic light on the crossing that Zoe had been using correctly.

"Alongside driving in excess of the speed limit, travelling through a red traffic light at a minimum of 37mph, the prosecution submitted that he was 'grossly, avoidably distracted'.

"We are grateful to the University of Warwick for their invaluable assistance in this investigation."

Balu was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday (May 25) after being unanimously convicted by a jury.

He was also disqualified from driving for nine-and-a-half years and will be required to take an extended retest before being allowed behind the wheel again.