Driver died when car crashed off A38 into garden
MUSIC WAS STILL BLARING FROM THE WRECKAGE
A CAR crashed off the A38 into a family’s back garden, killing the driver.
Loud music was still playing from the mangled wreckage as driver Alexandru-Madalin Raducu lay dying nearby, an inquest heard.
Mr Raducu had been drinking, was speeding and was not wearing a seat belt, the hearing was told.
The crash happened near Barton under Needwood, and the car ended up in the garden.
The car flew off the A38 and crashed at speed down an embankment and through two gardens.
Tesco warehouse worker Mr Raducu was pronounced dead at the scene on October 28, last year, the inquest heard.
One of the homes involved belonged to mum Charlotte Talpur. Ms Talpur’s garden was taped off by police as they investigated the cause of the crash.
When her children awoke the following morning, she and her husband were still in shock as they tried to explain calmly to the youngsters what had happened.
Ms Talpur said: “That night will never leave me. We heard this terrifying sound. We ran down the stairs to see what on earth happened. We found our gardens completely damaged.
“There was no car to be seen. It was two doors down. There was a lot of damage caused. Mentally and physically. Everyone was an absolute wreck. Honestly, that sound will never leave me. “It wasn’t nice at all. My partner rushed round the house where the car had landed trying to help and see if there was anyone else in the car. “They were shouting if anyone could hear them but the car was still blasting with music.
“When our children woke up and saw the garden, we were asked so many questions. We just had to hold it together. Our back gardens were taped up because it was a crime scene, we had to be questioned as well.
“We do have some good news though. We are finally getting barriers up in June, so it will be a lot more safe.”
Mr Raducu’s inquest heard that he was likely to have been driving “far in excess of the speed limit” when he lost control on a right-hand band on the northbound carriageway.
The Romanian national, who lived in Burton, was roughly twice the drink-drive limit at the time of the crash. The 31-year-old, who was also not wearing a seat belt, sustained serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Coroner Andrew Haigh, sitting at South Staffordshire Coroner’s Court, recorded a conclusion that Mr Raducu died from a road traffic collision.
That night will never leave me. We heard this terrifying sound. We ran down to see what on earth happened.
Charlotte Talpur