Mum Who Instructs Irwin Mitchell Speaks Of Loss As Motorist Sentenced For Crash

The mother of a talented young footballer killed in a car crash has spoken of her heartbreak after the driver responsible for his death pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving yesterday (30 October).

Ryan Coney, 22, suffered fatal chest injuries when a Suzuki Swift he was a passenger in crashed into a wall in the Pelsall area of Walsall. 

Following the factory worker’s death, his relatives instructed specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support the family and investigate the crash.  

Ryan’s mum Vivienne, has now spoken of how her family’s “hearts were broken in two” by her son’s death which happened when Morgan Chaplin lost control of his car in Lichfield Road on February 11 this year.

She said: “We will never get over losing our beloved son, brother and uncle Ryan. He was the light of all our lives. Ryan was such a loving son.

“I wouldn’t wish the hurt I feel on anyone, the pain is unbearable. His brothers and sister are also struggling to come to terms with losing their baby brother. He will never get to meet his sister’s baby daughter who was born a few weeks after Ryan’s death. 

“Our lives have been truly shattered. The day my Ryan died a part of me died.”

The crash happened at about 7pm on 11 February when Stanley, of Bloxwich, lost control  of his car, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Ryan, the youngest of four children alongside Lee, 29, Jemma, 28 and Dean, 27, died shortly after the collision because of his injuries. Two other passengers in the car survived the collision. 

Chaplin, 18, was sentenced to three years and four months after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, he will serve half of that sentence before being released on licence. He was also banned from driving for five years, which will start on his release from prison.

Chaplin was also found to have been driving without a licence or insurance, failing to stop, and two types of banned recreational drugs were found to be in his system at the time of the crash.

Vivienne, 51, added: “Ryan was a hard working young man and a talented footballer. Hew had his whole life ahead of him. Ryan was very popular through his football. The word legend is frequently used by all the lads who had the pleasure of playing football with him.

“I could go on talking about our beloved Ryan but it will not change the fact that he will never walk through our front door again and that’s the hardest part to get my head around.”

Rebecca Hearsey, expert road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Ryan’s family, said: 

Expert Opinion

“The driver’s actions have caused considerable heartache for Ryan’s family as they struggle to come to terms with his death and highlights the devastating impact road accidents can have.

“Stanley’s guilty plea is small comfort to the family who know their lives will never be the same again.

“While we welcome today’s sentence nothing can ever begin to make up for the family’s loss. We hope that this tragic case acts as a reminder of the potential fatal consequences of irresponsible, unqualified, unsupervised driving on the road and the years of misery they can cause the loved ones of people killed on the roads.” Rebecca Hearsey - Senior Associate Solicitor

Commenting further, Vivienne added: “We would like to thank the police for the work they have done and their support during the criminal proceedings.”

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