Teenager's crash death leaves family 'broken'
Family handoutThe family of a teenager who died after being hit by a car say they are "broken into a million pieces".
Jessica Metters, 16, of Consett, County Durham, was struck by a Ford Fiesta in Gateshead on Friday at about 22:40 BST.
Emergency services treated her at the scene on Lobley Hill Road, close to the junction with Schoolhouse Lane, but she died a short time after.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released on bail.
In a statement, her family said they had "lost our beautiful baby".
They added: "Words can't describe the pain we are suffering.
"Jessica was the most loving, precious, innocent little girl and cared so deeply for her loved ones.
"She lit up every room she walked in and always made a good situation out of a bad one, with that cheeky little smile and most beautiful eyes.
"Our hearts hurt so bad without her here with us, we miss her so much already.
"Our family is broken into a million pieces."
Sgt Ben Rutherford, of Northumbria's roads policing unit, said officers were continuing to offer the family support "as they look to process the devastating events of the past week".
