Jason Imi

Date of report: 12 July 2019 Ref: 2019-0238 Deceased name: Jason Imi Coroners name: Alison McCormick Coroners Area: Berkshire Category: Road (Highways Safety) related deaths This report is being sent to: The Highways Authority

Berkshire Coroner’s Office Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH Tel. 01189372300 coroner@reading.gov.uk Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) NOTE: This from is to be used after an inquest. REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: The Highways Authority 2 CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. 3 INVESTIGATION and INQUEST On 3rd August 2018 I commenced investigations into the deaths of Jason Robert Imi (aged 48 years) and John Carl Shackley (aged 61 years). The investigations concluded at the end of the inquests on 8th July 2019. The conclusions of the inquests into the deaths of both men were: Road Traffic Collision 4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH On 2nd August 2018 Jason Imi and John Shackley were on a corporate day with their work team. They were staying at the Royal Berkshire Hotel on the A329 London Road, Sunninghill, Berkshire. That evening the group went for dinner at a restaurant just up the road from the hotel. The group walked back from the restaurant to the hotel shortly before 11.30pm. There is no pavement on the side of the road where the Royal Berkshire Hotel is located. Mr. Imi and Mr. Shackley walked together at the back of the group along the pavement on the opposite side of the road to the hotel. As they crossed the road back to the hotel they were hit by a motor car being driven in an easterly direction along the A329. As a result of the collision both men sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The A329 is subject to a 50mph speed limit at the locus of the accident. 5 CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. I am concerned that there is no footpath on the A329 on the side of the road where the Royal Berkshire Hotel is located, meaning that any pedestrians walking into or out of the hotel entrance have to cross the A329 to get from or to a footpath, and that there is no street lighting in the vicinity of the hotel. Street lights end 100 metres west of the hotel entrance. This means that pedestrians entering or leaving the hotel during the hours of darkness have to cross the road in a place where there is no illumination, and so they are Berkshire Coroner’s Office Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH Tel. 01189372300 coroner@reading.gov.uk not easily visible to motorists driving along the A329. There is also a tree canopy in the summer, further shading the road, and a dip in the road surface on the eastbound approach to the hotel which adversely affects forward visibility towards the hotel for motorists. I consider that unless some action is taken there is a continuing risk of pedestrians entering or leaving the Royal Berkshire Hotel being run over as they cross the A329 at night. 6 ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisation has the power to take such action. 7 YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 13th September 2019. I, the Coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. 8 COPIES and PUBLICATION I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons: The family of Jason Imi The family of John Shackley The insurers of the vehicle involved in the road traffic collision on 2nd August 2018 Thames Valley Police I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the Coroner, at the time of your response about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 12th July 2019 Alison McCormick Assistant Coroner for Berkshire