Burton dad, 48, killed when car riddled with faults ploughed into his …

A man from Burton^[1] was one of two men killed in a crash involving a vehicle that had multiple faults, an inquest has heard.

Paul Adams’ Citrreon was hit by the Subaru Impreza being driven by Jordan Patalong on the A53 Buxton Road in Leek. The Impreza’s suspension wishbone – which was severely corroded – snapped and sent the vehicle into the path of 48-year-old Mr Adams’ car.

Both men were declared dead at the scene. Now, an inquest at Stoke on Trent Coroner’s Court has heard about a wide range of mechanical issues on the Subaru, including a failure in the Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and a crucial component of the airbag system, the clock spring, was missing, meaning 22-year-old Mr Patalong’s airbag did not deploy. The inquest also heard he was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and some of the emergency lights had been covered with electrical tape.

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The coroner, Daniel Howe ruled both deaths as being a result of a road traffic collision.

Evidence shows how there were multiple defects with the Subaru before the incident. Specialist forensic vehicle examiner for Staffordshire police Simon Banks said: “Upon turning the ignition key, we did not see the ABS illuminate. Even if it is not at fault, it should illuminate before turning off once the check has been done. We investigated by removing the clear plastic panel.

“We found a tape was obscuring the illumination of the bulb for the ABS light and the airbag light, both of which were lit indicating a fault. Upon investigation, we could not find the clock spring in the steering wheel, meaning the airbag system was not functioning. The near-side front ABS sensor was missing, meaning there was no functioning ABS.

“There was also excessive corrosion to the front lower suspension wishbone, which had snapped. The rear seatbelts were unusable due to all three buckles beneath the seat bench. The ball joint was worn and the brake pedal anti-slip cover was missing. There were no noted defects to the Citroen.”

Jordan Patalong was killed in a crash on Monday August 8 (Image: Submitted)

Evidence was then heard from forensic collision investigator PC Ian Chapman. PC Chapman noted that there was a depression in the ground of about an inch/inch and a half where a water inspection cover. He said that due to the failings of the ABS, there was little that the driver input could do.

He said: “On August 8 2022, I was called to the A53 Buxton Road near the water treatment works to reports of an RTC. The incident involved three vehicles and two people, two of the drivers, had been declared dead. On arrival, I noted the weather was clear and there were no obvious defects to the road.

“The speed limit is national speed limit, however, it changes to 40mph at the top of the hill. Upon investigation of the Subaru., I noted the driver deceased in the front of the car. The seat had been pushed forward and the airbag had not deployed. He was not wearing his seatbelt.

“There was an inspection cover within the road surface that was sunken. It was not level with the road surface, it was depressed maybe an inch, inch, and a half. The Citroen C4 had extensive damage but had no obvious defects. Upon inspection, the wheels of the Subaru were locked, meaning any action taken would have been irrelevant because the wheels were locked in position.

A toxicology report was read out in court, which heard how neither man had any drugs or alcohol in their system. A post-mortem for Mr Adams revealed his medical cause of death was multiple injuries, including chest and leg injuries. Mr Patalong’s medical cause of death was traumatic injuries to his chest and head.

Recording his conclusions, Coroner Daniel Howe said: “I am going to start with Paul Adams. Mr Adams, of Hendeley Court, Burton, was driving along the A53 on August 8 of last year when he collided with a Subaru. The Subaru had a corroded wishbone in the suspension which snapped causing the Subaru to drift into the opposite carriageway and collide with the car Mr Adams was driving. I conclude he died of an RTC.

“Jordan John Patalong of Portland Street, Leek, was driving along the A53 Buxton Road in a Subaru Impreza when he collided with a Citroen C4. His vehicle had a failure in the anti-lock braking system and the airbag did not deploy. My conclusion is one of an RTC.”

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References

1. ^{^} Burton (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Asda Express to open at these East Staffordshire petrol station sites (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
3. ^{^} XL Bully ban and what it means for owners and dogs (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Sign up for free email alerts to StaffordshireLive straight to your inbox here (data.reachplc.com)