Jamie Staley · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 25 September 2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jamie Staley DOB: 24 June 1998.
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8 October 2019.
The conclusion of the inquest was recorded as “Accident”.
The medical cause of death was “Multiple injuries”

On 22nd September 2018, Jamie Staley died when he accidentally wandered onto the A40 near Monmouth after a night out drinking with friends. He was struck by a van and died immediately of his injuries.

The inquest determined that Jamie died after he accessed the A40 from Monmouth Town, near the Gibraltar tunnels. In considering Jamie’s movements on the night he died, the inquest determined that Jamie’s mistake had been caused by a combination of not knowing the area and being under the influence of alcohol, however access generally to the A40 in the area of was considered. Police Constable 217████████ gave evidence to the inquest and presented the findings of the Collision Investigation Report. He indicated that there is relatively easy access onto the A40 in this area and was surprised that there were no signs which could alert pedestrians to the A40, or to prevent them from entering onto the slip road.

Although lack of signage did not contribute to Jamie’s death I consider that this is a matter for consideration in preventing pedestrians from straying inadvertently onto this busy road in future.

The junction in question is the exit from the A40 travelling northbound immediately having travelled through the Gibraltar tunnels onto the B4233. The co-ordinates are 51.805620, -2.716463.