Inquest takes place for much loved teen William Sullivan killed in collision on Preston Road in Grimsargh
The inquest of 19-year-old William Thomas Sullivan who sadly died at the scene of the two-car collision on Preston Road in Grimsargh has taken place.
The much loved Preston teenager sadly died at the scene of the two-car collision on Preston Road in Grimsargh on Sunday, January 18.
Officers were called to reports of a collision involving a green MG TF and a black Audi Q7 at 9.55am and, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Thomas, who was the driver of the MG, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Audi, a woman in her 40's suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
Addressing family members who had attended the inquest, Area Coroner Emma Mather said that it was evident that he was a kind and caring person who had taken on his first job as a chef at the Farmers’ Arms in Whitestake in Preston where he was well-thought of by customers and staff, before moving on to work at Longridge House.
Addressing Ms Mather at the inquest, a police officer said that the speed limit on Preston Road was originally 40mph lowered to 30mph and that on the tragic day road conditions were damp.
Verdict
Area Coroner Emma Mathew recorded the verdict as a terrible tragedy which happened in a matter of seconds when William was travelling on Preston Road and lost control causing traumatic injuries.
The medical cause of death was established as thoracic and abdominal trauma.
She said: “William Sullivan died from traumatic injuries sustained in a fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the 18th January 2026 on Preston Road in Grimsargh, Preston.
“Mr Sullivan was travelling along Preston Road when he lost control of the vehicle due to some level of harsh acceleration and inaccurate steering which caused his vehicle to rotate and enter the opposite carriageway where he collided with an oncoming vehicle.”
She added: “There was no opportunity for the evasive action to be taken or the collision to have been avoided once Mr Sullivan's car rotated into the oncoming lane.
“He died from his injuries at the scene despite the emergency service's efforts to resuscitate him.”
Tributes
His mum, dad and sister paid a beautiful tribute to him calling him their ‘best boy with the kindest soul’.
Former colleagues at The Farmer’s Arms pub in Whitestake in Preston also paid a loving tribute to the well-thought of teen, saying he would forever be remembered for his kindness.