Mitica Ladunca
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2020-0125
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 8 Oct 2020
Sent To
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
8 Oct 2020
All responses received
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Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
There is an absence of signage warning drivers on the A322 that there is a crossing point for pedestrians which links to Swift Lane across both carriageways.
- Consideration should be given to introducing such signage.
- Consideration should be given to introducing such signage.
Responses
Response received
View full response
Dear Assistant Coroner
I have been asked to convey the response of our Area Highway Manager to your Regulation 28 Report on the death of Mitica Mihaita Ladunca. Thank you for sending this to us.
The Inquest had heard from , a Collision Investigator for Surrey Police, that the crossing across the carriageway is uncontrolled and that there is no signage warning drivers that pedestrians may be attempting to cross the road in either direction. You stated that while the absence of signage did not contribute to the particular circumstances of Mr Ladunca’s death, you were concerned that it may give rise to a risk of future deaths.
In light of your report the Area Highway Manager has reviewed the location and while it is clear that your findings are that lack of signage did not contribute to this fatality he will install advance signage at this location. He is pleased to confirm that this work will go ahead on 29/30 September. This will be coordinated with the County’s high speed Traffic Management programme.
I have been asked to convey the response of our Area Highway Manager to your Regulation 28 Report on the death of Mitica Mihaita Ladunca. Thank you for sending this to us.
The Inquest had heard from , a Collision Investigator for Surrey Police, that the crossing across the carriageway is uncontrolled and that there is no signage warning drivers that pedestrians may be attempting to cross the road in either direction. You stated that while the absence of signage did not contribute to the particular circumstances of Mr Ladunca’s death, you were concerned that it may give rise to a risk of future deaths.
In light of your report the Area Highway Manager has reviewed the location and while it is clear that your findings are that lack of signage did not contribute to this fatality he will install advance signage at this location. He is pleased to confirm that this work will go ahead on 29/30 September. This will be coordinated with the County’s high speed Traffic Management programme.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I be-lieve that the people listed in paragraph one above have the power to take such action.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
An inquest into the death of Mitica Mihaita Ladunca was opened on 19 November 2019. It was resumed and concluded on 8 June 2020. The medical cause of death was found to have been: 1a. Adult respiratory distress syndrome AND cerebral infarction 1b. Multiple traumatic injuries
2. Pulmonary tuberculosis
The inquest concluded with a short form conclusion of ‘Road Traffic Collision’.
2. Pulmonary tuberculosis
The inquest concluded with a short form conclusion of ‘Road Traffic Collision’.
Circumstances of the Death
On 10 October 2019 Mr Ladunca attempted to cross the northbound lane of the A322 in Surrey approximately 425m north of Junction 3.
For reasons which remain unknown Mr Ladunca misjudged the situa-tion and unintentionally stepped into the path of a DAF XF 460 articu-lated large vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries. He died at St. George’s Hospital on 8 November 2019.
At the collision location there is an asphalt pathway, approximately 1 metre wide, across the central reservation and a gap in the pressed steel barrier. At this point, the kerb drops on both sides of the carriageway for approximately 2.7 metres. This path links to Swift Lane which is staggered across both carriageways. On the southbound side of the car-riageway Swift Lane leads to Bagshot Community Recycling Centre and a static home and caravan site for the Traveller Community. On the northbound carriageway side of the carriageway, via a footpath, Swift lane leads to Whitmoor Road and a number of residential properties.
During the course of the inquest I received evidence from DC Bloom-field, a Collision Investigator for Surrey Police. He gave evidence that the crossing is uncontrolled and that there is no signage warning driv-ers that pedestrians may be attempting to cross the road in either direc-tion.
Whilst the absence of any signage did not contribute to the particular circumstances of Mr Ladunca’s death, I am concerned that it may give rise to a risk of future deaths.
For reasons which remain unknown Mr Ladunca misjudged the situa-tion and unintentionally stepped into the path of a DAF XF 460 articu-lated large vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries. He died at St. George’s Hospital on 8 November 2019.
At the collision location there is an asphalt pathway, approximately 1 metre wide, across the central reservation and a gap in the pressed steel barrier. At this point, the kerb drops on both sides of the carriageway for approximately 2.7 metres. This path links to Swift Lane which is staggered across both carriageways. On the southbound side of the car-riageway Swift Lane leads to Bagshot Community Recycling Centre and a static home and caravan site for the Traveller Community. On the northbound carriageway side of the carriageway, via a footpath, Swift lane leads to Whitmoor Road and a number of residential properties.
During the course of the inquest I received evidence from DC Bloom-field, a Collision Investigator for Surrey Police. He gave evidence that the crossing is uncontrolled and that there is no signage warning driv-ers that pedestrians may be attempting to cross the road in either direc-tion.
Whilst the absence of any signage did not contribute to the particular circumstances of Mr Ladunca’s death, I am concerned that it may give rise to a risk of future deaths.
Copies Sent To
2. Surrey Police Forensic Collision Investigation Unit
DATED this 9th day of June 2020
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.