Unlike many similar cases, I'm surprised the driver here got away scot-free, basically
Not that there's any conclusive evidence here that he was at fault, and pedestrians wandering around in the dark at nearly five times the drink drive limit are always a potential hazard
Taxi that hit 'Fred the Spanner' faster than 20mph - inquesthttps://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co ... uest-told/A TAXI was likely travelling faster than 20mph when it hit and killed a pedestrian in Wrexham, an inquest heard.Paul Anthony Evans, of Russell Street in Cefn Mawr, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision which occurred on the High Street in the village during the early hours of April 23, 2023.
At County Hall in Ruthin on Friday (January 10), an inquest was held into the 60-year-old’s death.
It heard that shortly after 12.30am, a taxi being driven by Mark Prile collided with pedestrian Mr Evans, who sustained “catastrophic” injuries after hitting a nearby wall.
The medical cause of death was recorded as severe head and neck injuries caused by a road traffic collision.
Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rogers said the impact with the stone wall had a “catastrophic” effect, without which Mr Evans may have survived.
But he added: “The injuries sustained, in my view, are unlikely to be have been caused by a vehicle travelling at 20mph. If he’s been clipped by a vehicle at 20mph, why he’s gone with such force into a wall?”
Evidence was also heard from people living in the area of the collision, with one saying they had seen a vehicle travelling “way in excess” of the road’s 20mph limit moments before the collision occurred.
Other witnesses said they heard an “almighty bang” before later seeing Mr Prile inspecting something on the road.
The inquest heard that Mr Prile, a taxi driver for 22 years, was arrested following the incident, and was twice interviewed before being released without further police action being taken.
He said in his first police interview that he’d seen someone “stumbling” into the road, but he was unable to avoid them.
In his second interview, Mr Prile answered no comment to questions, but had a prepared statement in which he said he may have seen the “shadow” of a person at the side of the road, before hearing a noise which he thought was due to going over a pothole.
It was only after a screeching noise coming from his front offside wheel that Mr Prile turned around at the end of the road, and then travelled back to where the incident occurred.
The inquest was told that Mr Prile admitted in police interview to “panicking like hell” and “chucking” debris from his vehicle at the scene of the collision into the boot of his car and nearby bushes.
The inquest heard that Mr Evans had been walking home after a party.
His partner, Helen Roberts, told the inquest that they were both “a bit wobbly” after drinking alcohol throughout the evening.
Toxicology results revealed that he had 381 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of blood in his system, the legal driving limit being 80.
However, his close friend, Colin Parry, had seen Ms Roberts walking off from the taxi they had shared with "no concerns" for his welfare.
Mr Evans’ family criticised the police investigation, and told the inquest that they felt “massively let down” by North Wales Police, and had collected CCTV footage of what they believed to have been the car involved in the hope of finding out its speed.
However, forensic collision investigator, Gordon Saynor, said her team in North Wales currently don’t have accredited software to analyse speed using CCTV.
John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, recorded a narrative conclusion, and praised Mr Evans’ daughter, Katie, for her “amazing” work in gathering evidence.
He said it was a “testament” to her love for her father, and to "keep going", after which Miss Evans broke down in tears.
Known locally as ‘Fred the Spanner’, Mr Evans was described as a “kind and honest” man, who was “fearless in everything he did”.
His partner described him as a “life force”. He was said to have many friends in the local area, with 400 attending his funeral.
More than £7,000 was raised for charity from Mr Evans’ funeral and a charity day in his memory.
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