Police mistakenly informed the wrong family that their teenage son had passed away in a car accident, leading to a distressing mix-up. South Yorkshire Police has taken the initiative to involve the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in the aftermath of the incident.
The tragic crash on Todwick Road in Rotherham on December 13 claimed the lives of a 17-year-old girl and Joshua Johnson, 18. Another teenager, Trevor Wynn, 17, who was also involved in the accident, was hospitalized and placed under sedation.
In a regrettable turn of events, authorities misidentified the sedated teen as Joshua Johnson and informed Trevor Wynn’s family of their son’s supposed demise. It wasn’t until over three weeks later, on January 4, that doubts arose about the identities of the crash victims.
Following extensive identification procedures, including forensic examinations, it has been clarified that Trevor Wynn is the hospitalized individual receiving medical care, while Joshua Johnson has tragically passed away, as confirmed by the police.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane expressed shock over the situation, acknowledging the added distress it may cause. The families are being supported, with specialized agencies engaged to provide assistance. McFarlane has offered to meet with both sets of parents to address their inquiries, vowing to investigate the incident thoroughly to prevent a recurrence.
South Yorkshire Police has self-referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review their involvement in the identification process post-accident. They are committed to cooperating with any ensuing inquiry to understand the errors made and implement measures to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
An 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while a 19-year-old is held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, both on bail pending further investigation.