Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Cannabis Link to Fatal Collision
15th April 2005
A teenage driver involved in a crash that killed eight people may have been smoking cannabis, an inquest has heard.
The victims died after a BMW driven by 19-year-old Mitch Treliving crashed into an oncoming Land Rover Freelander on the A23 in East Sussex last May.
He was killed along with his four passengers, as were three people, including a toddler, in the Land Rover.
An inquest heard tests on Mr Treliving had found trace amounts of alcohol, but more significant levels of cannabis.
A statement from coroner Roger Stone read to the inquest in Worthing, West Sussex, on Wednesday said that although Mr Treliving had previously used cannabis resin, it was not possible to say whether he was under the influence prior to the crash near Brighton on 16 May.
The inquest also heard from other drivers who told how the BMW had been seen travelling at high speed and "tailgating" other cars.
One witness, Edmund O'Toole, told the hearing he had been driving south on the A23 shortly before the crash and had seen the BMW travelling very fast and close to the car in front.
"It was the fastest I've ever seen a car travel on British or European roads."
Sgt Niall Griffin, who carried out forensic studies of the scene, estimated the BMW's speed had been in "the high 90s" when it went out of control.
Those killed in the car with Mr Treliving, who was from Faygate, near Horsham, were Aaron Sharpe, 20, Catherine Sharpe, 18, Danielle Billingham 17, and Gemma Smoker, 17, all from the Crawley area. Kate Beasley, 29, and her husband Toby Beasley, 33, from Godalming in Surrey, and two-year-old Marcus Mohabir, who were all in the Land Rover Freelander, also died.
The only survivor, Marcus' father Stephen Mohabir, 36, from Godalming, suffered a fractured leg.
© BBC – Story filed 13th April 2005
Help With Your Road Accident Claim
If you have been injured as a cyclist, pedestrian, passenger, motorcyclist or driver in a road accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in recovering personal injury compensation for the victims of accidents on the road. Contact The Legal Line for cost free, confidential accident claim advice on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online.
Contact us
Testimonials
"It wasn't realistic for me to work any more and the loss of my income placed an additional strain on us."
Jane Evans
Mother of Rebecca
Personal Injury News
