Hit-and-run deaths of father and son 'tragic'

The deaths of a father and son in a hit-and-run crash in Jersey were "tragic", a coroner has told their inquests.

Dean Lowe, 48, and his 11-year-old son Charlie were hit by a vehicle in Rue de Fauvic, Grouville, on 5 August 2023.

Dylan John Pounds, 29, was jailed for 15 years in December for hitting the pair with his van having spent the day drinking. The father and son were found on the road later the same day by other drivers after Pounds fled the scene in his van.

Coroner Advocate Mark Harris concluded Mr Lowe died from head and neck injuries while Charlie also suffered "unsurvivable" head injuries. He gave his sympathies to the pair's friends and family.

Mr Harris said details of the case were "unpleasant to hear" and offered to adjourn the hearing if anyone needed a break.

He also explained the inquest's findings would be "consistent" with details heard during the trial last autumn.

Monday's inquest marked the end of formal investigations into the Lowes' deaths.

The inquest heard that Pounds, who was found guilty of causing the deaths of Mr Lowe and his son by dangerous driving, had about nine pints of beer before the crash.

He had been drinking in the Union Inn, the Pembroke Pub and the Dolphin in Gorey, where he was seen swaying and spilling his drink down himself, the hearing was told.

The inquest heard from a States of Jersey Police crash scene investigator, who said there was no evidence of braking at the scene, and forensic tests on Pounds found fragments of broken glass from his windscreen in his hair and beard.

Insp Rob Manners said the crash could have been avoided if Pounds, who was driving at 44mph (70km/h) when the crash happened, had been travelling within the speed limit of 30mph (48km/h).

Discussing previous incidents on the same stretch of road, Insp Manners said there had been nine crashes since 2010, and three had resulted in serious injuries.

But he said only one other had involved a pedestrian and that had happened in daylight.

He concluded that the 30mph (48kmh) limit on Rue de Fauvic still seemed appropriate.

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