James Atkinson, 81, from North Wales, was crossing Teehey Lane in Bebington shortly after 7:30 PM on March 4, 2024, when he was struck by a BMW 1 Series driven by 25-year-old David Brown of Malvern Road in Tranmere, Wirral. According to a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Brown had slowed down earlier due to cars waiting to turn right into Village Road but then accelerated away at considerable speed along the 30mph route, overtaking parked cars and crossing into the opposite carriageway. The area was busy with motorists and pedestrians at the time, in dark and rainy conditions.
Atkinson had parked his car on nearby Roland Avenue and was crossing the road to walk to the Royal British Legion, where he went every Wednesday to play. According to the trial, he took eight steps into the carriageway before being struck by the driver's side of the BMW. The trial heard that the exact speed of the BMW at the time of impact has not been determined.
Atkinson was rushed to Aintree Hospital with fractures to his neck, skull, ribs, and facial bones, as well as catastrophic bleeding on the brain. He was later transferred to the Walton Centre and was pronounced dead at 5:05 PM on March 6, 2024, as a result of his injuries. Atkinson was a trumpet player who played in a band and was on his way to band practice at the Royal British Legion.
Fellow band members were left calling and messaging him, wondering where he was, not realizing he had been fatally injured. ' His brother Donald said: 'Jim was my big brother, and I miss him dearly. ' Atkinson learned to play the trumpet and cornet as a child and played in the boys' brigade.
He formed a band with a few friends and played in a Glenn Miller type of band. Before his music career, he was a police cadet and worked in the same factory as his dad in Warrington. He later worked on gas rigs in the North Sea and traveled the world as an accomplished engineer on gas installations, spending a lot of time in Saudi Arabia.
He would spend hours transposing music for his band to play. His instrument has been donated to the organization that meant everything to him. According to the trial, Robert Dudley was prosecuting the case at Liverpool Crown Court.
What charges, if any, were brought against David Brown, and what was the outcome of the trial remain unclear at this time. The incident has raised questions about road safety in the area, but it is unknown what safety measures, such as crosswalks or lighting, were present at the location or if there has been any community or official response to improve road safety following this incident.