DRIVER DELIBERATELY CRASHED INTO BRIDGE

Man, 39, died from ‘catastrophic’ injuries

A driver died from “catastrophic” injuries after deliberately ploughing his Mercedes into a motorway bridge, an inquest has heard.

Vitas Maselskis was found by police officers after the car he was driving at about 60mph smashed into the concrete support carrying the M20 over the roundabout at Junction 9 in Ashford earlier this year.

The inquest at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone heard there was no evidence the 39-year-old Ukrainian had made any attempt to brake or steer the vehicle in an attempt to avert the crash shortly after 4.30am on March 19.

Mr Maselskis, who lived in Crownfield Road, South Ashford, with his wife and her daughter, had lost his job at Stop 24 services at Westenhanger, near Folkestone, in January because of the fall in travellers due to the pandemic.

Evidence read to the hearing by assistant coroner Geoffrey Smith also stated that, in addition to the financial concerns caused by his redundancy, Mr Maselskis was sought by Kent Police in relation to an historic allegation of rape.

It is not, however, known if Mr Maselskis - who was originally from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and moved to the UK in 2011 - was aware that police were seeking to speak with him at the time of his death.

Officers patrolling in a marked car were the first to arrive at the scene of the crash.

Paramedics and the fire service attended to assist in removing him from the Mercedes A-Class, which had tipped on its side following the impact with the bridge which carries the motorway above the roundabout.

Mr Maselskis - who was not wearing a seatbelt when the impact happened - was taken to King’s College Hospital with multiple serious injuries, including organ damage, head injuries and broken bones.

Despite undergoing operations in an attempt to save his life, he was declared dead at the London hospital at 10.37am on March 20.

Cause of death was given as multiple organ failure and abdominal bleeding following a road traffic accident.

Returning a verdict of suicide, Mr Smith said: “The clear evidence from the police examiner and the investigating officer is there was no attempt to brake.

“There is also evidence Mr Maselskis was not wearing his seatbelt.

“I am satisfied that in fact this was a deliberate act.”

Concluding the hearing, Mr Smith expressed his condolences to Mr Maselskis’ family.

■ For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or visit www.samaritans.org

Fougeres Way, between Drovers Roundabout and Junction 9, was closed throughout the morning following the crash

Damage to the wall of the bridge at Junction 9 showed where the Mercedes left the road