Jenson Bridges, 17, was killed along with passengers Simon Evans and Jacob Holman after he smashed his Audi into a tree in Tong, Shropshire, while driving at ‘excessive speed’
Three teenage pals died in a horror crash after a “naïve, young and inexperienced” driver lost control of his Audi the day after passing his test, an inquest heard.
The Audi A1 being driven by Jenson Bridges, 17, smashed into a tree at “excessive speed” on Offoxey Road, in Tong, near Shifnal, Shropshire. Jenson, who was head boy at his school, died alongside Taekwondo world champion Simon Evans, 18, and restaurant worker Jacob Holman, 17. The fourth occupant of the car, George Taylor, 17, suffered life-changing injuries, but survived the smash, which occurred at around 11.15pm on March 14 this year.
An inquest heard Jenson had passed his driving test just the day before the crash and the group met up with eight other friends to “go for a drive”. Friends said Jenson had turned off the traction control in his car, so he could “wheelspin” away from the other two cars, a Vauxhall Corsa and VW Golf.
They told investigating officers they thought Jenson was exceeding the national speed limit of 60mph and travelling at around “90-95mph” as he sped off. Assistant Coroner for Shropshire Heath Westerman said Offoxey Road was described by forensic officers as in a “state of disrepair” with numerous potholes and bumps.
Investigating officers said the speedometer was stuck at 37mph, but disregarded that and suggested the incident was “not a low-speed” crash. The court was told that the car suffered “catastrophic” damage, with the near side front wheel detaching from the vehicle and the front of the car deformed.
Investigators believe the car had hit a bump in the road, causing the vehicle to hit the nearside verge, which threw the car into a hedgerow and finally into a tree. Following the crash, the two cars following the Audi stopped and the eight occupants did what they could to offer life-saving help to their four friends.
But Jenson and Jacob both died in hospital from “non-survivable head injuries”. Simon died instantly from “multiple traumatic injuries” having been ejected from the car.
The three dead boys were all wearing their seatbelts, the hearing at Shrewsbury Guildhall was told. Mr Westerman said Jenson’s Audi, a 1.4l hatchback with 123bhp, had an MOT, was taxed, had valid insurance and was found to have had “no mechanical defects” at the time of the crash.
The driver was also clear of drugs and alcohol at the time of the incident. In his findings, Mr Westerman concluded that all three boys died as a result of a road traffic collision.
He said: “On the evidence I have heard, I am satisfied Bridges was not racing another vehicle and had not met up with friends and acquaintances with an intention to race. He was a newly qualified driver who was excited to be on the road but lacked the experience to know how a car handles with three passengers in it at speed over a bumpy road.
“I find that at a junction before the accident, he turned off the traction control. While it is not possible to calculate how fast the car was travelling, I find he was driving at excessive speeds.
“Having driven at excessive speeds down Offoxey Road with three passengers, he was unable to control the car as it negotiated a ditch. It then clipped the off-side grass verge, collided with hedgerow and then a tree.
“The damage was devastating. I find the condition of the car did not contribute. I find the condition of the road did not contribute.” He added: “The collision was caused by the naïve actions of a young, inexperienced and newly qualified driver.”
Following the tragedy, devastated family members paid tribute to all three boys. Jacob, of Codsall, Staffordshire, was described as “funny, loving and caring” while Simon, of Perton, Staffordshire., was hailed a “loving and kind gentleman” who “always had a smile on his face”. Sports-mad Jenson, of Brewood, Staffordshire, had the “purest heart, who loved life and lived it to the full”, said his family.