Waskiewicz family 'battled for truth' after tragedy

Julian Waskiewicz died in hospital six days after being struck by a silver Volvo on November 10, in Burnhill Green Road, Albrighton.

The driver of the car involved, a man in his 60s from Shifnal, was not prosecuted for any offence following the collision.

It resulted in a complaint being lodged by members of his family.

They today revealed that since the tragedy they have consistently raised concerns with both West Mercia and Staffordshire police forces regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident and the investigation that followed and feel the issues have not been resolved despite a review of the handling of the incident.

They said they believe the facts of the case, and problems uncovered about the investigation into the driver's alcohol level, were not made clear to loved-ones.

MORE: Revealed - How police blunders stopped justice being done

Mr Waskiewicz lived in Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton, and had been widowed just six weeks before he was killed.

His wife Jill had died after a two-year cancer battle and he had travelled into Shropshire to check on a family member's empty house when the accident happened.

A statement given today by his family to the Shropshire Star says: "We have received no apology whatsoever for the toll this has taken on the family.

"The review reveals a complete absence of responsibility, accountability and a failure to follow process in the initial stages of the investigation, making any criminal prosecution impossible.

"A decision was taken by Staffordshire Police to withhold this information from the family.

"Had we known this at the time, we would have saved ourselves a lot of heartache, frustration and anguish. We now understand why there was such a reluctance by the police to pursue any other line of inquiry than the ability of Julian to be seen.

"Members of a bereaved family reeling from the impact of losing a loved one in such a shocking, violent and sudden way should not then have to face the additional emotionally draining and physically exhausting challenge of fighting for 18 very long months simply to get to the truth.

"There is no doubt that this additional burden has prolonged the agony, forcing us to re-live the events over and over again has prevented us from starting the healing process. Lessons must be learned."

A review carried out by Warwickshire Police concluded that training in the "back calculation" should be rolled out to all police forces after it found that many officers were unaware of the procedure.

The fact two police forces – West Mercia and Staffordshire – were involved also caused confusion and mistakes.

The report says Staffordshire Police must take on board the lessons from the incident, including keeping better records, ensuring family liaison work is carried out and the importance of keeping records.

The report added: "There should be a clear understanding as to who is in charge and to ensure that any information and decision-making required can reach that individual in charge." The accident happened on a late afternoon on November 10, 2014. In May last year, at an inquest, coroner Mr Andrew Haigh said he intended to write to West Mercia Police to demand why the earlier reading was not taken into consideration.

Staffordshire Police today pledged to fully investigate the issues raised by the family and the subsequent inquiry report.

It said it was planning to meet the family in person to deal with issues that have been raised about procedures and lack of communication with loved-ones.

Spokesman George Bailey said: "The report was sent to the family on June 7.

"The family were contacted on June 14 to see if they had had time to read the detailed independent report and to arrange for a meeting with officers to discuss any questions that the family members might have.

"On June 29, the reviewing officer from Warwickshire Police visited the family at their request. The family requested that representatives from Staffordshire Police did not attend this meeting.

"At the meeting on June 29, the family raised several points from the report and detailed findings review, for which they asked for clarification and further detail. This information has been provided."

Mr Bailey said a meeting between officers from the Staffordshire force and members of the family would take place on Wednesday and had been arranged at the family's request.

He said: "It will discuss any specific complaint allegations that they may wish to make.

"Any complaint made to Staffordshire Police will be fully investigated and a copy of the investigatory report detailing the investigation and outcomes will be provided to the family."

DCI Dave Goosen of West Mercia Mercia Police's professional standards department said: "This was a tragic event and our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Waskiewicz.

"West Mercia Police accepts the recommendations of the review that was subsequently undertaken of this case and has taken steps to ensure that procedures involved in back calculations are followed by officers managing these cases."

The inquest was told that 56-year-old Mr Waskiewicz was very safety conscious and had been a driving instructor for years. It heard that he had lost his wife Jill in the October but was looking forward and was planning a skiing trip.

Mr Waskiewicz's death adds fuel to the debate about drink-drive limits in England.

The legal drink-drive limit should be almost halved, according to police rank and file leaders. The Police Federation of England and Wales has called for tougher laws on alcohol that would mean drivers could be over the limit after just one pint.

The body wants to copy changes made in Scotland that has seen the legal limit cut by about 40 per cent.

The federation, which represents police officers up to the rank of chief inspector, hopes the move will help curb a rising tide of social drinkers, especially women.

Victoria Martin, of the Police Federation, said: "We would like to see a lower drink-drive limit as most other European countries have as well as Scotland which saw a marked reduction in failed breathalyser tests as soon as the law was changed last year.

"We would also like to see road safety back on the national and local agenda."