A young motocross enthusiast from Bristol died only a month into his new job as a delivery driver when his van crashed head-on into a lorry. An inquest into the death of 20-year-old Josh Pitt heard he had passed his driving test just three months prior.
Josh, who lived in Bristol with his family, had been overtaking a car towing a caravan on a double carriageway section of the A361 North Devon Link Road near Tiverton when, for ‘reasons unknown’, he drove into the opposing road and collided with a HGV at around 1.30pm.
He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene on July 26, 2023. The inquest at Exeter Coroners Court today, February 6, heard toxicology evidence that stated prior to his death, Josh had been under the influence of cannabis, reports Devon Live.
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A statement from Josh’s mother Leanne Pitt confirmed he was a regular cannabis user and had tried to stop taking the drug, but had recently suffered a close bereavement that had affected him greatly.
She told how he was the eldest of four children and had developed an interest in motorbikes and quad bikes from the age of nine. He began to race at motocross events when he was 16 and initially studied mechanics at college but did not enjoy it so became self-taught instead.
He was said to have been in a relationship and was 'devoted' to his girlfriend's son. When her father tragically passed away in sudden circumstances, he was said to have taken it 'really hard' and was diagnosed with depression by his GP in May 2023 and was put on anti-depressants.
The previous month he passed his driving test and began working as a delivery driver around a month before his death.
Mrs Pitt said: "He was a good driver and did not mess about. When he got a job as a van driver he was so proud as he really wanted a driving job."
However, she raised concerns about the pressure he was under to make deliveries at set times and the condition of the van he was driving. On the day of his death, she said he missed his alarm and got up late and despite his girlfriend telling him not to go to work he did because they were said to have needed the money.
Devastated by his death, she said: "Losing Josh has affected the whole family and our lives will never be the same." Evidence was heard from witnesses who saw the fatal crash that Josh was involved in near Washfield, around four miles from Tiverton.
The 62-year-old experienced driver of the HGV that Josh's van struck told in the inquest in a statement how he had been travelling downhill along a single lane of the A361 when he saw a brown van overtaking a vehicle on the other side of the carriageway which had two lanes. A 'split second later' he said it veered across into his lane.
He recalled: "There was nothing I could do. It happened in an instant and there was no way of avoiding him. It hit me with such force I was not able to keep [the lorry] in control. I was holding on for dear life."
After his lorry came to a stop, he said: "I was shaken and in shock. I couldn't believe I had survived it." Other witnesses at the scene reported in statements that after Josh had pulled out to overtake a car towing a caravan, he had continued in a straight line rather than straightening the wheels of the van. One driver said: "He [Josh] seemingly made no attempt to steer back onto his side of the road."
The witnesses also confirmed there would have been nothing the lorry driver could have done to avoid the crash. A police investigation stated cannabis and a grinder were seized from Josh's van. A vehicle examiner concluded there were no faults or defects with either vehicles that could have caused or contributed to the collision.
The Mercedes Benz Sprinter van was said to have sustained 'very substantial damage'. It was confirmed Josh had been wearing his seatbelt and had not been on his phone before the incident.
The investigation concluded that it was for 'unknown reasons' Josh did not follow the curvature of the road when he was overtaking. It could also not be confirmed what speed Josh had been travelling at but the lorry was believed to have been adhering to the HGV speed limit of 50mph.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of his death as multiple injuries consistent with a road traffic collision while under the influence of cannabis. Toxicology tests stated Josh had taken cannabis at 'some point' before his death but it was not possible to say how it would have specifically affected him as it depended on the individual.
Recording a conclusion of road traffic collision, Alison Longhorn, area coroner for Exeter and Greater Devon, said: "It is noted from both the toxicologist and pathologist that cannabis use causes intoxicated effects including impaired driving performance, including a lack steering control but the effects of intoxication can vary according to each individual."
She added: "Josh had overtaken a caravan and had not corrected his steering to pull back and follow the path and instead continued in a straight line into the path of the HGV."
Addressing his family and friends who attended the inquest, she said: "It really is apparent from the sheer number of you that have come today just how much he was loved. I can't imagine losing him like this; it was horrendous. My heart goes out to you."
Following Josh's death, an online fundraiser was set up by one of his three younger brothers to pay for his funeral costs and tributes were paid. At the time, his mum Leanne described him as her best friend.
She said: “We have received over 600 messages of love and support. Josh would have helped anybody, he was so popular and if anyone had a problem with a bike or moped, he would fix it for them.
"Josh still had so much to do; he had so many plans. I don’t know how I’m going to get over this."
His brother Jayden, who set up the fundraiser which raised just over £7,000, added: "The whole family feels lost. The amount of support we have had is impeccable; he was respected by so many others."
He continued: "Josh was a warrior; he wasn’t ever scared. I don’t know what I'm going to do without you king, I have so much unconditional love for you. I wish I could just send you one more message asking about bikes. You started out from just watching YouTube videos to opening up your own online business dedicated to bikes.
"In grieving times you realise you don’t know how lucky you are until it’s gone. Josh, I promise you in my power I'm going to finish what you started, your legacy will never be spoken bad about. You meant everything to me but the world had different ideas for you.
"I hope you're up there giggling away with all the other angels who left us too early."
