Teenage crash victim was over cocaine and alcohol limit, inquest told

Liam Ryan, 23, crashed into a front garden on Essington Road, Willenhall, while driving at 58mph in a 30 zone on September 16.

Black Country Coroner's Court was told Mr Ryan had 146 milligrams of alcohol in his blood - nearly double the 80 milligrams limit - while behind the wheel.

Mr Ryan, who also had cocaine in his system, lost control as he approached a bend on the A462 Essington Road, New Invention, in a black Peugeot 207.

The car went careering across a pavement before crashing into a brick wall outside a house at around 4.15am.

Mr Ryan was left with multiple fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene 18 minutes later.

Black Country Coroner's office concluded his death was caused by extensive trauma to his head, chest and pelvis.

Det Con Jamie Simon, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told the court: "The vehicle left the near side carriageway and rotated anticlockwise.

"The vehicle continued to travel across the pavement and was being driven at a 90-degree angle to the driveway.

"The driver's side of the vehicle took the brunt force. Following the collision the Peugeot came to a rest in the front garden."

Flowers were left outside the house by family and friends, while debris from the impact was left scattered across the driveway and side of the road

The tributes described Mr Ryan - of Ecclestone Road, in Ashmore Park, Wolverhampton - as a loving young man. One friend called him "Iron Ryan".

CCTV footage from neighbouring properties helped collision investigators to calculate the car's speed.

Pc Justin Williams, also of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We concluded the Peugeot was travelling at 58mph on the approach to the bend.

"The car is seen to mount the pavement and travel sideways. There are no persons seen exiting the vehicle.

"Also there is some evidence Mr Ryan was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

"It is clear from CCTV that the driver's side took the brunt impact at a 90-degree angle and the vehicle was T-boned by the wall causing the vehicle to come to a halt."

Toxicology tests showed Mr Ryan had 31 micrograms of cocaine in his blood which is more than triple the 10 micrograms driving limit.

A pathology report from medical examiners said: "This unfortunate young man was involved in a vehicle collision whilst he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and cocaine."