Stephen Armstrong, a 45-year-old painter and decorator from Grand Junction Way in Walsall, tragically lost his life in a three-car collision on Darlaston Road in the Pleck area of the town. The fatal incident occurred on May 3, 2026, and despite the best efforts of emergency services, Mr Armstrong was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Armstrong was at the wheel of a white Kia when it was involved in a collision with a black Mercedes and a yellow Skoda Octavia. The crash happened near the junction of Darlaston Road and Wellington Street, just before 7.15pm. The impact was severe enough to cause fatal injuries, and West Midlands Police were called to the scene immediately.
Officers and paramedics attended but the driver of the Kia, a man in his 40s, could not be saved. The other drivers involved in the crash remained at the scene and are assisting with police enquiries.
Inquest Opening at Black Country Coroner's Court
An inquest into Mr Armstrong's death was opened at Black Country Coroner's Court on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Area Coroner Joanne Lees presided over the hearing and outlined the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. She told the court that the death was reported to the coroner's office by West Midlands Police.
Ms Lees said: "West Midlands Police reported that Mr Armstrong was the driver of a Kia motor vehicle that was involved in a collision on May 3, 2026, at the location of Darlaston Road, in Walsall. Sadly, Mr Armstrong was confirmed as deceased at the scene."
The court also heard details of a post-mortem examination, which provided a provisional cause of death. The cause was given as "fatal polytrauma caused by a road traffic collision, contributed in part by cocaine and cannabis intoxication". This indicates that toxicology tests found cocaine and cannabis in Mr Armstrong's system at the time of the crash.
Police Investigation and Witness Appeal
West Midlands Police previously released a public appeal for information following the fatal collision. In a statement, the force said: "We're appealing for information after a man has tragically died following a three-car collision in Walsall. We were called to Darlaston Road, near the junction of Wellington Street, Pleck, at just before 7.15pm on May 3."
The statement continued: "A black Mercedes, a yellow Skoda Octavia and a white Kia had been involved in a collision. The driver of the Kia, a man aged in his 40s, sustained serious injuries and was sadly confirmed dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and we'll be offering them support at this terrible time."
Officers from the serious collision investigation unit (SCIU) have been working to establish the full circumstances of the crash. They are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who witnessed the collision or who was driving in the area at the time, especially those with dashcam footage.
The drivers of the other vehicles remained at the scene and are assisting with enquiries. Police have asked anyone with information to contact the SCIU directly via email at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk.
Background and Next Steps
Mr Armstrong, who was born in West Bromwich, lived in Grand Junction Way, Walsall, and worked as a painter and decorator. His death has left family and friends in mourning, and police have said they are offering support to his loved ones at this terrible time.
Area Coroner Joanne Lees said she was satisfied that an inquest was required into Mr Armstrong's death. However, she noted that a date for the full inquest had yet to be arranged, as the police investigation is ongoing. The inquest will resume once the investigation is complete, allowing a full hearing into the circumstances of the tragedy.
The collision on Darlaston Road, which runs through the Pleck area of Walsall, remains under investigation. The coroner will examine all evidence, including the post-mortem findings, during the inquest. More details are expected to emerge as the police and coroner continue their work.
