Mr David John James Charles · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 5th December 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr David John James Charles who was 44 years of age. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 7th September 2015. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Charles dies as a result of a Road Traffic Collision.

On the 29th November 2014 Mr Charles was walking in the carriageway of Cranes Farm Road, Basildon in Essex whilst under the influence of alcohol. At approximately 1:00am he was struck by a motor car as a result of which he landed in the carriageway where he was struck by a second motor car. He died as a result of multiple injuries on the 29th November 2014.

It was a dark and dry night. The section of Cranes Farm Road on which Mr Charles was walking when he was struck is provided with a system of street lighting. The lighting was switched off at the time of this incident. In the case of each driver, the evidence was that they could have done nothing to avoid the collision. This was due to the lack of ambient light and lack of expectation of seeing a pedestrian in the carriageway. If the street lights had been illuminated it would have improved Mr Charles’s chance of being seen although this did not necessarily mean that either collision could have been avoided. It would, however, have given him a better chance of living.