Tragic Wolverhampton widower died just weeks after wife

Julian Waskiewicz was walking his two dachshunds in Burnhill Green Road, Albrighton, when he was struck by a silver Volvo on November 10.

The 56-year-old of Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton, was taken to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a critical condition but died six days later. His death came just six weeks after his wife Jill, 54, had died following a two-year battle with cancer.

The inquest heard how the widower - who was planning a skiing break to help get over the shock of losing his wife - was visiting a relative's property to check on their chickens and pigs while they were away when he was struck at 5.45pm.

Collision investigator Pc Andrew Talbot, of Stafford's Central Motorway Police unit, said Volvo driver Wayne Smith's roadside breath test recorded an above-limit reading of 38 microgrammes but a follow-up check at Malinsgate Police Station in Telford measured 35mg - the legal limit. Pc Talbot said he did not know why West Mercia Police officers who dealt with Mr Smith at the scene did not carry out a 'count back' calculation procedure that may have assisted their decision making. Mr Smith has not been prosecuted for any offence.

Giving evidence, cyclist Ian Bunch, of Kidderminster, who was riding opposite, said: "I could see a vehicle's headlights approaching from the opposite direction. As it got closer I saw what appeared to be a silhouette cross the light beam.

"I heard an almighty thud. I would describe the sound as something hitting a bonnet. I was aware that the vehicle on the opposite side was braking as a result. I thought it hit an animal. I heard yelping sounds then saw one dog run pass me and another dog run in the other way. I then saw a shape in the carriageway."

He added that the Volvo driver said 'I didn't see him'.

South Staffordshire Coroner Mr Andrew Haigh told the hearing held in Cannock that he was concerned that Mr Smith, of Badger Road, Beckbury, Shifnal, had been drinking.

He said: "They took the lower reading which was insufficient to prosecute.

"Mr Smith was driving with excess alcohol in his system. And that may have affected his reaction time, having said that he had very limited time to react in any event."

He said he would write to West Mercia Police Chief Constable David Shaw to ask why the 'count back' was not done.

He recorded a conclusion that Mr Waskiewicz died as a result of the road traffic collision.

Mr Waskiewicz's sister-in-law Paula Manning, 52, said: "Had there been a 'count back' the police may have found reason to prosecute. There should be a standard procedure.

"Julian was very safety conscious. He was a driving instructor for years. He had lost Jill in October, but was dealing with it. He was planning a skiing trip."