Tadley motorist misjudged bend, inquest hears

Philip Keefe, aged 38, of Mount Pleasant, Tadley, died from head and chest injuries, on November 8, at the scene of the crash on Baughurst Road, near the junction of Rectory Road. He was travelling to Slough, where he worked as a calibration engineer.
The inquest heard that his green Rover ZS saloon was found by passing motorist Steven Ward, shortly after 6.30am, who spotted the car with the headlights on, amid trees, on an unlit right-hand bend.
In a statement, Mr Ward said that after calling the emergency services, he forced open the passenger door and checked Mr Keefe’s pulse, but there was no sign of life.
Thames Valley Police collision investigator, Steven Moffat, said that five-metre skid marks on the road indicated that Mr Keefe had misjudged the bend, then applied heavy braking and corrective steering, causing the car to spin anti-clockwise, before hitting a mature roadside tree.
The misjudgement could have been down to a momentary lack of attention, or distraction during a journey Mr Keefe knew, said Mr Moffat, “like the back of his hand”, adding: “It would have been over and done in four seconds.”
A post mortem revealed no alcohol or drugs in Mr Keefe’s bloodstream at the time.
The car was well-maintained, the road well-signed, in a 50mph speed limit and road conditions were good. Mr Keefe was wearing a seatbelt and the front airbags were deployed.
Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford said that correspondence from Mr Keefe’s doctor’s surgery confirmed that he suffered from multiple sclerosis and had been prescribed medication for this, and also granted a valid short period driving licence on November 10, 2010, by the DVLC.
Mr Bedford said Mr Keefe had notified the DVLA of his MS diagnosis. As to whether his illness had been a contributing factor to the accident, Mr Beford pointed out he had a legitimate driving licence and said: “We do not know. Whichever explanation is correct, all lead to the same conclusion – the death can be termed an accident.”
“It seems to me he was able to function perfectly normally,” said Mr Bedford.
Members of Mr Keefe’s family told the hearing that he had been determined not to give up work, despite his illness, which caused him difficulty with walking. He was also unable to get up if he fell over, they continued, and had been involved in minor road accidents in the past, including a collision involving a motorcyclist.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Bedford pointed out there were no witnesses to the crash, with no serious injury collisions at the spot since the end of May last year.
After the inquest, Mr Keefe’s brother Richard Keefe said: “He was a great son and a great brother and will be sorely missed.”