A BAR owner who ran over a teenager and then told police he was travelling within the speed limit had been driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone, a jury has heard.

Daniel Chappell, 37, was driving a Ford Kuga in Hythe Hill when he hit Alliyah Bell in August 2021.

He denies causing death by careless driving.

A transcript of Chappell’s interview with PC Jennifer Pirie was read to the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court, with the defendant telling the officer Miss Bell, 17, had run out in front of him.

Trial – Daniel Chappell, pictured, denies causing death by careless drivingTrial – Daniel Chappell, pictured, denies causing death by careless driving (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

He said: “There was no lighting where it happened, so it was very dark.

“She’s come running from the left.

“I remember she had a black dress or something on – it was all black.”

The jury had previously been told by Miss Bell’s friend, Leah Green, that she had been wearing a “vibrant” outfit at the time.

The court was then told on Wednesday that Chappell had told police he was travelling at 30mph when asked how fast he was driving.

But forensic collision investigator Alan Barlow said data downloaded from the vehicle’s infotainment system showed Chappell was driving at 39.5mph at the time of the collision, and 45mph in Magdalen Street shortly beforehand.

He said: “The vehicle slowed to 30mph as it passed through the junction to Barrack Street.

“It accelerated gradually back up to 40mph, which continued to when the incident occurred.”

CCTV footage from a camera in Challenge Way was used to confirm Mr Barlow’s findings.

Donal Lawler, defending, asked whether Mr Barlow was correct when he said there was no lighting where it happened, asking: “There is street lighting on both sides – is Chappell mistaken about [it being dark]?”

Mr Barlow replied: “Yes.”

Road – the incident occurred in Hythe Hill, Colchester, in August 2021Road – the incident occurred in Hythe Hill, Colchester, in August 2021 (Image: Google Street View)

It was suggested Chappell, who owns Chappell's cocktail bar in North Hill, may have had his vision impaired by a taxi’s headlights shining from the opposite direction.

Mr Lawler said: “If there’s a car coming towards you, depending on where that car is, can that render an object between the two of you invisible.”

Mr Barlow replied: “It would certainly make it a lot more difficult to see, yes.”

The trial continues.

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