M1 death-crash driver might have fallen asleep
A DRIVER who was killed in a crash near junction 27 of the M1 at Annesley might have fallen asleep at the wheel, an inquest heard.
John Whitworth, of Sanders Close, Ilkeston, suffered fatal injuries when his red Toyota Hilux vehicle flipped over after leaving the northbound carriageway in the early hours of November 5 last year.
The inquest in Nottingham heard how Mr Whitworth's vehicle hit two traffic cones that were separating the carriageway from the hard shoulder.
It then hit a pile of stones that were being used for roadworks on the motorway and flipped into the air before skidding along on its roof and coming to rest on its side.
The inquest heard how there was no alcohol found in Mr Whitworth's bloodstream and that he was not speeding.
Pc Christopher Ronayne, of Derbyshire police, said evidence suggested Mr Whitworth's vehicle had drifted off the motorway at a steady 45-degree angle.
He added that there was nothing to suggest Mr Whitworth had swerved to avoid anything.
Pc Ronayne said that, after extensive checks, the vehicle was found to have no defects that could have caused a crash.
Nottinghamshire Coroner, Dr Nigel Chapman, recorded a verdict of accidental death.
He said: "The car was in perfect working order and he was not speeding. He had his seatbelt on and the airbags were deployed.
"For whatever reason, he went off the road and the car did various rolling manoeuvres."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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