A father from Staffordshire has been left with severe brain damage after a steel plate flew off a lorry and smashed through his windscreen on the M6 motorway, an inquest has heard.
Gareth Johnson, 44, from Cannock, was driving his Vauxhall Astra along the M6 in Staffordshire when the incident occurred on the morning of 15 March 2023. The steel plate, believed to have fallen from a lorry travelling in the opposite direction, crashed through his windscreen and struck him on the head.
Mr Johnson was rushed to hospital but suffered catastrophic injuries. He remains in a vegetative state and now requires round-the-clock care, according to evidence given at Staffordshire Coroner's Court.
Inquest hears of catastrophic injuries
Assistant coroner Margaret Jones heard that Mr Johnson had been driving northbound on the M6 near junction 13 when the steel plate came through his windscreen. The plate is thought to have fallen from a southbound lorry, crossing the central reservation before hitting his car.
PC Mark Smith of Staffordshire Police told the inquest that officers were unable to identify the lorry involved, despite extensive CCTV and witness appeals. The steel plate was later recovered from the scene and examined, but no vehicle could be conclusively linked to it.
Mr Johnson's wife, Sarah Johnson, said in a statement that her husband had been a "fit and healthy" man who loved cycling and running. She described the family's devastation at his condition, adding that he now needs help with all aspects of daily life.
Family calls for better load securing
The inquest heard that the steel plate weighed approximately 20kg and was not properly secured. The coroner raised concerns about the lack of legislation requiring lorries to have better load restraint systems, particularly on motorways.
Mrs Johnson told the court: "Gareth was just driving to work when this happened. Our lives have been turned upside down. We want to ensure no other family has to go through this."
The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion, stating that Mr Johnson died from his injuries on 28 June 2023, but the cause of death was the traumatic brain injury sustained in the incident.
Ongoing police investigation
Staffordshire Police confirmed that the investigation into the incident remains open. Officers are still appealing for any witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage who may have seen the steel plate fall from a lorry on the morning of 15 March 2023.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Staffordshire Police quoting incident number 0123 of 15 March. The family has also called for a review of safety measures on the M6, particularly regarding debris on the carriageway.
The case highlights the dangers posed by unsecured loads on motorways, with the coroner urging haulage companies to check their vehicles thoroughly before setting out on journeys.
