THE mum of Jamie Eckley, the Eccleston teenager who was killed while crossing the East Lancs Road last year, has told the Star of her determination to make sure a similar tragedy does not bring heartbreak to another family.

Karen Eckley and her husband, David, of Oleander Drive, were devasted following the death of their 17 year old son on September 10 last year. Karen had given birth to another son, Alex just a few days earlier. Jamie, an A level student at Carmel College whose ambition was to go on to study Law, had spent the evening at Liverpool St Helens Rugby Union Football Club in Moss Lane, where he was celebrating a friend's 18th birthday.

However, as he made his way back home just after 10pm, he was struck by a Mercedes-Benz sports car as he

crossed the East Lancs at its junction with Windle Island. Jamie was rushed to Whiston Hospital but died there a few hours later of head injuries.

Medical evidence later revealed that Jamie had drunk the equivalent of five or six pints of beer and at the inquest, North and South Sefton coroner, Christopher Sumner, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, hit out at the Moss Lane club for serving alcohol to underage drinkers. He also made a recommendation for the 70 mph speed limit on the East Lancs Road to be lowered and highlighted a hedgerow which had apparently blocked Jamie's view of the road before he stepped out.

Karen, who also has a nine month old son, Alex, told the Star: "The coroner made some excellent points and David and myself are now determined to get this message across.

"However, we are in no way, blaming anyone for what happened to Jamie. We accept that he had had a lot to drink on that day. In fact, he and a friend had called in The Ship pub in Blackbrook for a drink before they got to the party.

"We know he was underage but this is what lads sometimes do, we admit that. But in my opinion, Jamie could have been stone cold sober and still would have been killed that night because of the combination of the speed of the car and the hedgerow which blocked his view. This hedge doesn't seem to serve any purpose as far as we can see and we are now trying to find out who is responsible for it and have it cut down.

"We have also enlisted the help of Carmel College and De La Salle High School who have given the issue their own support."

She added: "On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone who has given us help and support over Jamie's death, particularly Jamie's friends who have all been wonderful.

"Sadly, I am too realistic to think this sort of accident will never happen again, but if we just do this it is a start.

"Jamie's brother, Little Alex was just a few days old when Jamie died and I would hate for someone else to have to grow up never knowing their brother or sister."