'Denying my Dylan an inquest is an insult too far' says mum of teen killed in road collision

Dylan Crossey, 15, from Penwortham, had been cycling with a friend along Wham Lane in Whitestake, near Preston, when a vehicle struck him.

The promising junior footballer, who attended All Hallow’s Catholic High School, suffered severe head and neck injuries and died the following day in the Manchester Children’s Hospital.

An inquest was opened but suspended to allow the trial of David Harwood, 42, of The Close, New Longton, to take place.

Earlier this year, Mr Harwood was formally found not guilty of causing Dylan Crossey’s death by dangerous or careless driving on a judge’s directions, following legal submissions from his defence team.

Dylan’s family say they face further trauma as they wait an update from the trial judge before they get a decision on whether Dylan is entitled to an inquest. Lancashire’s senior coroner, Dr James Adeley said he had discussed the matter with his area coroner who is handling the case.

He said: “The situation is that we are awaiting a transcript of what the trial judge who heard the matter had to say about the findings of fact, as this will determine what approach we take.

“Unfortunately, until we have received the transcript we are unable to make any decisions as to whether or not an inquest is necessary as were the trial judge to make certain findings of fact we have no power to contradict these, and any further inquest may not serve a particular purpose.

“Equally, if the trial judge has not made certain findings of fact, an inquest may well take place. This has been explained to the family and, once the transcript has been received, we will write to them again explaining the current situation and ask for their views.”

The situation has prompted the devastated family to write to the Police Commissioner Clive Grunshaw in a bid to challenge the decision.

Dylan’s mum Tracey Milligan said: “The whole justice system has let him down.

“I don’t want it going on his death certificate that it was an accident – he hasn’t had a collision with himself – someone’s killed him.

“We still feel there has not been a thorough investigation, and in our minds it should be reopened again and investigated by another police force.

“Dylan deserves to have his case relooked at.

“To be denied an inquest is an insult too far.

“I’m not letting this lie and I know I’ve got the backing of the community.

“The authorities need to know this is not going to go away.”

The family has already lodged a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission over concerns with the police investigation into Dylan’s death.

In a harrowing letter to PCC Grunshaw, Mrs Milligan says: “It is in the public interest for Dylan to be given a full inquest. It’s his right in death to have this. Please let just one element of the justice system work fairly in his memory.”