A TEENAGER killed in a crash has been described as someone who “lived life to the fullest”.
Police have named the 17-year-old as Liam Ball, while another teenager has been charged following the fatal crash on Thursday, August 2.
Liam, from Malvern and who worked in Worcester, died after the car he was a passenger in hit parked cars in Weston Street, Walsall, in the early hours of the morning.
In a tribute, his family said: “This little man left us too soon and will leave a big hole in our family and hearts, god bless you Liam.”
The teenager was an apprentice barber at Camo Hair, in Reindeer Court, before leaving in June, with his former boss saying he will be “deeply missed”.
Camo hair owner Sam Meigh said: “Such a tragic loss. Liam was such a talented barber for his age. He always had a smile on his face and lived life to the fullest.
“He will be deeply missed by everyone involved with CAMO and we will never ever forget him.”
Mr Meigh and his staff are currently raising money for Liam’s funeral and are planning to install a memorial in the shop for him.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Dudley magistrates on Monday morning in relation to the crash.
He has been charged with death by dangerous driving, driving without a licence, no insurance and failing to stop at the scene.
He has been released into the care of Social Services to re-appear at Dudley Youth Court today (August 8).
Two female passengers, both aged 14, were also injured in the collision – one suffering a broken arm and the other minor injuries. The silver Volkswagen Golf also hit a lamppost during the incident at 12.10am.
Liam was found collapsed nearby with a serious head injury and later pronounced dead in hospital.
Following the crash in the residential area – with a 30mph limit – a shocked resident described hearing the screeching of tyres, then a loud bang, likened to “a bomb” going off.
Debris, broken glass, skid marks and the buckled body panels of several vehicles were strewn around the scene, with the car coming to a stop in the middle of the road.
Mother-of-one, Shamima Begum, said she heard a “massive bang” and looked out the window to see the wreckage.
She said it was the third accident on the road in the year since she moved onto the street.
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a teenager has lost his life and our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.”
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