A young American girl injured in a road smash that killed her mother last year has recovered well, according to a family friend.

Martha Hoopes, 39, died when her rental cycle collided with a van on Middle Road, Southampton, last March 24. Her nine-year-old daughter Ashley, who was riding pillion, was trapped under the van and had to be pulled free by firefighters.

Ashley was rushed to hospital by ambulance and spent a spell in the Intensive Care Unit, although the nature and extent of her injuries was never made public.

Mrs. Hoopes was a stay-at-home mom married to Stephen, an investment company partner. Their son, Alex, was just six years old when she died.

The family belongs to the Kenilworth Union Church in their home town of Kenilworth, Illinois and yesterday assistant pastor Jane Lionberger told The Royal Gazette: "The children are doing well. It has taken Ashley a long time to seem really recovered but she is doing well. She has a smile back on her face and her father says he is very proud of her strength of character and will to recover. She is back to horseback riding lessons as well.

"Alex is also good. Steve is an amazing father and a man of deep faith that has allowed him to navigate this past year with grace."

Mr. Hoopes said on Monday that he remains grateful to the people of Bermuda for the kindness they showed him after the accident.

He wished, he said "to express my family's sincere gratitude for all the care and the many acts of kindness we received from our doctors, nurses and so many others while we were in Bermuda".

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how prosecutors dropped charges against the van's driver Harold Simons on Monday, due to a lack of evidence.

He had been accused of causing death and injury by dangerous driving. However, according to him and his lawyer Richard Horseman, Mrs. Hoopes lost control of her cycle in a bus layby and veered in front of his vehicle.

They said the case was dropped because eye witnesses reported he was not to blame, despite Police experts claiming that skid marks showed his vehicle was over the centre line in the road. Mr. Horseman maintained that these marks did not belong to the van.

Mr. Hoopes has declined to comment on the outcome of the case.