'We will never get over losing him': Mum's emotional tribute to teen killed by friend in Bloxwich crash
Grieving family and friends of a talented footballer killed in a car crash have spoken of their loss as the driver convicted of causing the death through dangerous driving started his sentence of three years and four months behind bars.
Morgan Chaplin – aged 17 at the time, but now 18 – was high on drugs and travelling at more than twice the speed limit while driving a car on a public road for the first time when disaster struck.
He lost control of the Suzuki Swift in Lichfield Road, Pelsall after ignoring a warning to slow down from one of his three passengers, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The Suzuki was travelling at an estimated 63mph in a 30 zone before careering onto the opposite side of the road where the impact with the kerb sent it and hurtling back into a garden wall, said Miss Sharonjit Bahia, prosecuting. Front seat passenger Ryan Coney, 22, who was not wearing his seat belt, suffered catastrophic chest injuries and was certified dead at the scene of the February 11 smash.
His mother Vivienne, 51, said of the youngest of her four children: “We will never get over losing him.
“He was the light of all our lives – a proper Mummy’s boy who didn’t care who knew it. He was a hard worker and talented footballer with all his life ahead of him.
“The word legend is frequently used by all the lads who had the pleasure of playing football with him. I could go on talking about our beloved Ryan but it will not change the fact that he will never walk through our front door again and that’s the hardest part to get my head around.”
She added: “We would like to thank the police for the work they have done and their support during the criminal proceedings.”
Rebecca Hearsey, expert road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Ryan’s family, said: “The driver’s actions have caused considerable heartache for Ryan’s family as they struggle to come to terms with his death and highlight the devastating impact road accidents can have.
“We hope that this tragic case acts as a reminder of the potential fatal consequences of irresponsible, unqualified, unsupervised driving on the road and the years of misery they can cause.”
Michael Hughes, who had played football with Ryan for six years, said: “His loss has hit more than just the team. The whole community has been affected. I feel guilty when I am having a laugh with his team mates because he is not there to join in. I cannot help but blame the person who was driving. I despise him, even though I don’t know him, and that is so unlike me.“The boy had so much to offer and so much time to offer it.
“Ryan was one in a million and will be forever loved and remembered.”
Chaplin from Abbot Street, Bloxwich pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, being under the influence of drugs, failing to stop after an accident and having neither insurance nor a licence.
He was ordered to be detained at a Young Offenders Institution and given three years and four months behind bars. He was also banned from driving for six years eight months by Judge James Burbidge QC.
