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Inquest verdict: Jade was unlawfully killed in high-speed car smash
THE grieving family of a Halifax teenager have been told their daughter was unlawfully killed in an horrific car crash almost three years ago.
West Yorkshire's coroner Roger Whittaker, sitting at Bradford Coroners' Court, recorded the verdict in the case of Jade Rice and friend Danny Atkinson, both 17.
But he said he would not refer the case back to the Department for Public Prosecution.
The friends died of appalling injuries in the early hours of January 29, 2006, in Bradley Road, Huddersfield.
Jade and Danny's families, including Jade's mum and stepdad Elaine and Barry Noble, and Jade's aunt Catherine Gilman, were in court to hear about their final moments.
Jade, originally from Savile Park, Halifax, had been living at halfway house The Aspiration's Project, in Bradley, Huddersfield. She planned to start a hairdressing course at Calderdale College and had been at the home for a month.
On the night of the crash she and Danny had asked support worker Mohammed Tanwir, of Shipley, for a lift to a nearby petrol station to buy pop and food.
His customised Toyota Corolla lost control on a bend on the road, spun and hit a tree before the thud of the crash.
Mr Whittaker heard from accident investigators Richard Lambourn, of the Transport Research Laboratory, and John Green, from West Yorkshire Police's collision investigation unit, that the Toyota was probably doing between 55 and 60mph, when it hit the trunk – but it could have been around 80mph.
Witnesses estimated the car was travelling at between 80 to 100 mph on the 40mph limit single carriageway road.
Mr Whittaker said: "The vehicle which the two young people were killed in was travelling at, or about, 80mph when control was lost. That was clear.
"In my view of the evidence the standard of driving fell far below what is expected of a competent and careful driver.
"There was excessive speed in an urban, tree-lined road with a down-hill bend where control was lost.
Pathologist George Thomas said both died from multiple injuries.
Mr Tanwir said in evidence it was the first time he had taken anyone from the home out in his car.
Lawyer Naeem Siraj asked him: "If you could go back to that night, given all that has happened, would you have changed your decision?"
Mr Tanwir replied: "I would not have taken them out."
He said Jade and Danny had talked him into giving them a lift.
"I arrived at 11pm and both Danny and Jade were there. I first spoke to them about 11.15pm. I went to my room to retire when Danny said he wanted to go to the petrol station. I said that I was going to retire and left it at that. Five minutes later Danny asked again. He said he wanted to buy pop and it was cold outside and didn't want to walk. I still did not agree,
"He asked a third time and I said no. I returned to bed when I heard Jade's voice. She asked me to take them to the petrol station again.
"I thought if I don't take them they could carry on for another half hour or hour - so I decided to take them about midnight."
“I thought if I don’t take them they could carry on for another half hour or hour - so I decided to take them about midnight.”
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