A young girl was hit by a car and killed after walking in front of an oncoming car on her way home from school.
Emica Jackson-Miller, 11, had not long started secondary school when tragedy struck in November last year.
Her mum Holly-Jade Miller-Wood described the crash as a "bad dream" and said her daughter was was "very much loved by everyone," reports Devon Live.
The year seven pupil had stepped out into the road without looking when a car drove past with the driver unable to swerve, an inquest heard.
Emica, from Torquay, Devon, was rushed to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and died from severe traumatic brain injury two weeks later.
An inquest at Plymouth Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday how the traumatised driver had been unable to avoid crashing into the youngster.
In a statement read to the court, the woman told how she was travelling along the busy residential road at around 25mph due to the number of parked cars and speed bumps.
She recalled seeing "bunches" of school children, as it was was 3.30pm, and not driving fast because she was aware that they were about.
"As I was passing some parked cars, I saw a young girl suddenly appear from behind a parked vehicle to my left side," she said.
"I had not seen her on the raised pavement or the steps coming down the road. I just saw her upper body."
MPC Lucy Tyler-Jones told the inquest that evidence from the driver and witnesses confirmed Emica had walked down steps from the driver's left hand side and into the road.
The investigating police officer added that Emica would not have been visible due to her height.
There were no defects with the car that could have caused or contributed to the collision and the driver had not been distracted by her phone or under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
MPC Tyler-Jones concluded: "For an unknown reason, Emica stepped into the path of the car on the drivers left hand side without checking to see if the road was clear to cross."
There was no evidence that the driver had fallen below the standards of a competent driver, she added.
Coroner Ian Arrow recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision and asked MPC Lucy Tyler-Jones about safety concerns over the road.
She said: "We are still in consultation with local authorities to see if there is any conclusion from their examination of the scene."
Mr Arrow asked to be notified of the outcome and confirmed he would write to highways authority if appropriate.
Coroners can use their powers to prevent future deaths by creating a report under Regulation 28.
In January, efforts began to make the road crossing safer following Emica's death.
Torbay MP Kevin Foster and local Conservative councillor Andrew Barrand met at the scene of the accident to discuss possible road safety improvements.
Cllr Barrand asked the council whether bollards could be used to prevent parking on verges and corners, and create a better pedestrian crossing point outside the school.
Torquay Academy principal Steve Margetts paid tribute to Emica on the school website.
He said: “Emica made friends quickly and easily due to her infectious personality. Her friends talk about her as kind, loving and caring.”
Since the tragedy, Emica's family launched an appeal in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital’s Wallace and Gromit Appeal and raised almost £11,000.
Speaking of Emica in their appeal, they said: "She is much loved and will always be remembered.
"Emica went to sleep at the side of the road on November 25.
"She never woke up and died on December 11 surrounded by her family and the amazing team at Bristol Children's Hospital."
