Coroner warns of phone danger after tragic death

Inquest

A coroner has warned of the dangers of driving with a mobile phone switched on after a driver died after he lost control of his car at high speed and ploughed into trees.

Tragic Jonathan Robert Harris, 22, from Stamford, was travelling “well above” the 60 mph speed limit when his Renault Megane coupe swerved off a bend on July 30 this year.

An inquest heard he had been texting his colleague and friend Matthew Andrews as he drove to meet him for a work night out.

His last text message, which was sent at 8.24pm, said: “Thanks mate, I owe you a pint or two.”

His bronze Renault was discovered upside downina dyke on the A1175 in Market Deeping, by a farm worker who was driving past at around 9.20pm.

Assistant Coroner for Central Lincolnshire Marianne Johnson recorded a conclusion of death as a result of a road traffic collision at an inquest.

She also warned other motorists of the risks of using mobile phones while driving. The coroner said: “We have had a lot of publicity about mobile phones.

“My message would be for people not to use their mobile phone while driving.

“Put them away and turn them off.

“Any slight distraction can cause a catastrophic accident. Mobile phones have no place being turned on in your car.”

The in quest heard Jonathan was “likely” to be on his mobile phone when he crashed and had “over steered” on the bend because he was distracted by the device.

In a statement read out at Boston Coroners Court, pal Matthew described Jonathan as a “happy go-lucky type of person”.

He added: “In the time I had known Jonny, I only drove in his car about three weeks ago and had no worries about his driving.”