AN OSWESTRY man struck by a vehicle on the A5 last August died as a result of a road traffic collision, a coroner has ruled.

The inquest into the death of Ashley Jones on Sunday, August 20, 2023 resumed at Shropshire Coroner’s Court, in Shrewsbury, on Thursday, April 4.

Shropshire coroner John Ellery had previously adjourned the hearing from December 2023 after Mr Jones’s family raised concerns and called for witnesses to be produced.

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This included driver Fereba Hafizi who told the court she was driving from her home in Coventry, where she left at around 3.30am, to hike in Snowdonia in North Wales.

Under questioning from Mr Ellery, Ms Hafizi said that she was fit and well to be driving and stopped for a break and snacks around 10 to 15 minutes before the incident at Mile End Services.

She added that her speed was "consistently around the limit" but was adjusted to the road she was travelling on.

Ms Hafizi told Mr Ellery that she had been driving with her full beam lights because of the lack of street lighting on the A5.

The driver said that she had returned to normal lighting as she was on the northbound side of the A5 – towards Chirk – when she saw a car in the opposite direction.

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Mr Ellery heard that she had her finger on the indicator, ready to resume full beam, when she saw something in the middle of her lane, which was Mr Jones who was wearing dark clothing.

She added: “My first thought was that it was an animal because this wasn’t a residential area so I wouldn’t expect a person to be there.”

She added that "I didn’t know where he came from".

Earlier, PC Sarah Fraser-Smith, a forensic road investigator based in Shrewsbury, gave evidence to the court from her report of the incident.

She said that Mr Jones’ dark clothing and high level of alcohol in his system – 150mg per 80mg of blood – would have contributed to the incident.

She added: “The weather was fine and dry and happened at twilight and the road has a 60mph speed limit.

“He was projected up and over the windscreen and the driver stopped after the collision.

“The lack of lighting and dark clothing would have contributed to his death and wouldn’t have been seen by the driver.

“His high level of alcohol would have contributed to his decision making.”

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Mr Ellery concluded: “We know that Ashley died on the A5 between the Mile End and Whittington roundabout at 5.09am when he was in collision with a red Citroen DS3 car.

“I have heard evidence from the forensic investigator and Ms Hafizi and I accept it from both.

“I conclude that Ashley died from a road traffic collision.”