A TEENAGER from Kinmel Bay may have fallen asleep shortly before he was involved in a fatal crash on the A55 in Conwy, an inquest heard.

Robert Christopher Adams died aged 19 on May 8, 2022 after the Vauxhall Astra vehicle he was driving collided with a trailer attached to a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) at about 1.30am. 

At a full inquest held in Ruthin today (May 5), John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, returned a conclusion of road traffic collision.

He provided a medical cause of death of head injury as a result of a road traffic collision.

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Mr Adams, a tyre fitter, had travelled to Deiniolen, Gwynedd, to see his girlfriend, Shannon Williams, on the evening of May 7, before driving home at about 1am on May 8.

A statement from his mother, Lorraine Landsbury, read that he would “always stay in touch with me”, and sent her a message at 1.23am indicating that he was tired, but was on his way home.

Mrs Landsbury said her son would often drive with cruise control activated to alleviate the risk of breaking the speed limit.

Indeed, a photo sent from him to her shortly before the crash showed that cruise control had been initiated.

She became worried when he did not return home, though, before later receiving a visit from officers of North Wales Police (NWP)’s Roads Policing Unit, informing her that her son had died.

“I would never wish to put this experience on my worst enemy,” Mrs Landsbury said.

“The whole situation is devastating to our family and friends.

“There was nothing that previous evening, or before, that indicated to me that he would take his own life.

“There is no doubt in my mind that he was the victim of an accident.”

PC Huw Capper said that the trailer attached to the HGV which Mr Adams’ vehicle hit was loaded with approximately 30 tonnes of cheese at the time.

The vehicles collided on the eastbound carriageway of the A55 in Dwygyfylchi, close to the Pen-y-Clip tunnel.

They were entering an area of reduced, 30mph speed limit, with PC Capper stating that Mr Adams’ vehicle collided with the trailer with such force, it was consequently “wedged under the trailer”.

Indeed, three-quarters of Mr Adams’ vehicle was found under the trailer when officers arrived at the scene, preventing them from initially seeing him.

Pc Capper said that the extent of the damage, and absence of a response from Mr Adams, made it clear that his injuries were not survivable, and he was declared deceased at the scene at 4.14am.

Forensic examinations of Mr Adams’ vehicle failed to reveal any mechanical defects which may have been contributory to the crash, and also found that he was wearing his seatbelt at the time.

Likewise, analysis of the HGV highlighted nothing of note, while CCTV footage revealed the rear lights of the trailer to be in working order.

The HGV, driven by James Boyce, was travelling within the speed limit at 29.2mph at the time of the crash.

Both drivers held full UK driving licences, while neither were believed to have been using their phone at the time – indeed, Mr Adams’ was found in his trouser pocket.

A report from Conwy County Borough Council’s Highways department found no defects with the road surface or roadside furniture.

In a statement, Mr Boyce said he did not recall seeing any vehicles behind him, but after checking his mirrors again, could see “lots of smoke from the rear”.

He initially thought one of his tyres had blown out, and so stopped his vehicle for fear of a fire.

Mr Boyce found that Mr Adams’ roof had peeled back, such was the extent it was under the trailer, and he dropped to his knees in shock.

Ms Williams also provided a statement saying that Mr Adams had appeared tired and was “yawning” while with her on the evening of May 7, and she told him to phone her to let her know he had returned home safely.

Pathologist Dr Mark Atkinson gave a provisional cause of death as head injuries.

Dashcam footage of the crash, taken from Mr Adams’ vehicle, was also played at the inquest, which was attended by numerous loved ones.

Mr Gittins said: “It’s not my job to determine fault or liability.

“All evidence points to one thing - being tired on that occasion, he was experiencing what can be described as ‘microsleep’, where we doze off for a split-second.

“The manner of the driving, really, is supportive of that.

“I don’t believe for one second that he did this deliberately. This was simply as a result of him being tired and losing concentration.”

Mr Gittins added that he was “absolutely” certain that Mr Adams’ death would have been instant following the crash.