Much-loved Middlesbrough rigger tragically died after walking in front of HGV on A66
A much-loved oil rigger deliberately walked into the path of an HGV on the A66[1] while under the influence of drugs, an inquest has heard.
Daniel Stephens tragically lost his life on July 7, 2023, on the eastbound carriageway near Brough, in Cumbria. An inquest into the death of the Middlesbrough[2] dad heard how the 35-year-old had been arguing with his partner about his use of cocaine.
He'd travelled to Cumbria to stay at his sister's partner's home as he "needed to have space". Daniel, known as Danny, remained agitated but appeared to calm down when he arrived, however, coroner Margaret Taylor, sitting in Cockermouth Coroner's Court, heard how the pair continued with the disagreement.
By the early hours of the morning, Daniel wanted to return home to Middlesbrough, but his sister, Rebecca Stephens, agreed to drive him home rather than allow him behind the wheel. During the journey home to Teesside, further messages were exchanged, and Daniel asked his sister to stop the car at a garage area at Kirby Thorpe where he got out and crossed the road - stopping in the opposite verge on the road. When he saw an HGV travelling in the opposite direction, he walked into its path.
The HGV driver was able to stop the vehicle before colliding with Daniel and the dad returned to the car. After the siblings set off again, Daniel tried to get out of the moving vehicle.
Daniel 'Danny' Stephens died following a fatal crash on the A66 in Cumbria (Image: Cumbria Police)
In a heartbreaking statement, his sister Rebecca described holding onto her brother as she pulled into the side of the road. Daniel had removed his seatbelt and she desperately tried to stop him from leaving the car but she wasn't strong enough.
Daniel got out of the car and walked straight into the path of another oncoming HGV. The coroner's court heard the driver, despite breaking, had no opportunity to avoid colliding with Daniel. He died at the scene having suffered a catastrophic brain injury, which was described as "unsurvivable".
Following a two hour inquest hearing, Ms Taylor made the following conclusion: "On 7 July 2023 Daniel Stephens , whilst under the influence of cannabis and cocaine deliberately walked into the path of an oncoming HGV vehicle. It is unclear if he took this action with the intention of ending his life due the effects of intoxication. He sustained a fractured skull and severe intracranial haemorrhage. He died as a consequence of the catastrophic brain injury."
A toxicology report concluded that Daniel had taken cocaine in the hours before his death and had cannabis in his system. His heartbroken loved ones say he would not have done what he did if he wasn't under the influence of drugs.
'Such a good dad'
His older sister Rebecca said: "He had a smile that would light up a room. We used to have such a laugh together... he always managed to put a smile on my face and make me feel better. A lot of people attended his funeral... this just shows how much he was loved and the impact he had on so many people's lives."
His family say he did not have a history of depression.
In a statement, his former partner said: "He idolised me and the kids. He wasn't the same person when he was on drugs. He would never have left me and the kids with this much heartache. My life has completely changed... He was such a good dad."
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References
- ^ A66 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
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