Investigation and inquest
On 4 September 2012, I commenced an investigation into the death of Sean Andrew Morley, aged 20. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14 March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was that Sean died as the result of an accident. The medical cause of death was 1a. Multiple injuries including Severe Closed Head Injury.
Circumstances of the death
Sean was crossing the A444 Bedworth By-pass on foot between 3am and 4am on 2 September 2012 when he was struck by a motor vehicle, the driver of which did not remain at the scene.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) I heard evidence that the stretch of the A444 where Sean died is regularly used by pedestrians and cyclists, who walk or ride on the grass verge at the side of the carriageway or on the edge of the carriageway itself.
(2) Since Sean’s death, there has been a further incident on the same stretch of road where a pedestrian was struck by a car. Fortunately, the injuries were not fatal.
(3) There are no signs warning pedestrians or cyclists of the dangers of using the road. There are no street lights. The speed limit on the road is 70mph. There is no barrier or other protective features between the vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
(4) These factors strongly suggest that there is a risk of further fatal collisions between vehicles and other road users.