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Amy Fenton & Tom Duffy & Chloe Burrell

Two pals die in horror crash after stolen car flips onto roof

Two young men died after a stolen vehicle they were travelling in crashed and flipped onto its roof.

A white Audi A1 turned upside down after the crash, which occurred in November 2019.

Connor Stevens, 24, who was driving the vehicle, died instantly on impact. His friend, and front seat passenger, 18-year-old Luke Peaurt-Moran was taken to hospital but sadly died the following day.

An inquest held at Preston Coroner's Court was told that the Audi had been stolen from Eccleston "a short time earlier".

Police constable Barry Moore told the inquest that the Audi was "a fast car" with a two-litre engine and a gearbox which could go up to six different speeds, reports Liverpool Echo.

PC Moore said: “It had been stolen from Eccleston a short time earlier.

“Moor Lane is a rural road with a 50mph speed limit and there are some minor bends.

“It was the early hours of the morning so it was dark but the road is well lit. The weather was fine and dry but the road surface and pavement were damp as you would expect at that time of year.”

PC Moore said although the vehicle was “significantly damaged” there were no mechanical defects and the Audi was in good order.

“There were a number of tyre marks which began on the nearside kerb and the tyre tracks had gone across the kerb towards the telegraph pole and a red brick wall,” the officer said.

“The wheels were rotating at the point of the impact so there was no braking when it left the road; it was out of control.

“A number of car components had been removed from the vehicle in the impact and scattered across the scene.

“There were tyre marks and gouge marks after the first impact which indicated the driver had control but would not have been able to see where he was going because the airbags had been deployed.”

The inquest heard the force of the first impact was so severe that the telegraph pole was ripped from the ground.

A witness who had seen the Audi shortly before the crash said he saw headlights approaching and got the impression it was going “very fast”. The witness described the car “coming round the bend out of control”.

When asked to assess the speed at which the Audi was travelling PC Moore said: “It was well in excess of the 50mph speed limit. There were a number of significant impacts and even at the point of the final impact with the wall the car was going well in excess of 50mph.

“At each impact there would have been a reduction in speed but even the last impact it was going well over 50mph.”

PC Moore said that although Conner was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash Luke’s had been clipped in “tight to the seat” suggesting it was fastened behind him.

Consultant pathologist Alison Armour carried out post mortem examinations on the two men, both from Sefton, and concluded that Luke, a former pupil of Holy Family Catholic School in Thornton, had died as a result of a severe head injury while Conner suffered multiple traumatic injuries.

Luke Peaurt-Moran, 18, died in hospital (Liverpool Echo)

Area Coroner Richard Taylor told both families he was sorry they had been made to relive the deaths of their sons.

Luke’s mum said: “It has been a difficult week because it was Luke’s birthday on June 26.”

Recording a conclusion of a road traffic collision, Mr Taylor said: “The car was being driven too fast, there is simply no doubt about it. There was a loss of control and the accident occurred.

“I don’t think the fact that Luke didn’t have a seatbelt on was going to affect things.”

After his death Luke’s family revealed his organs had been donated and saved the lives of three people.

In a tribute his aunt Donna Peaurt said: “Words cannot describe what losing our lovely Luke feels like, it's been an extremely difficult and a heartbreaking past couple of days for both family and friends alike and especially for his mother, brothers, sister and girlfriend.

"He was a cheeky lad, a loveable rogue, who could light up the sky with his smile and just had such an amazing personality and we will miss him dearly and never forget just how much he meant to all of us.

"Luke was just 18 years old and left us far too soon, no mother should ever have to experience such a tragic loss especially at such a young time in his life.

“In death, however, Luke will live on in our hearts and souls and also in the people who will be receiving some of his organs, which will hopefully help to save the lives of those who are in a similar situation to Luke.

“To remove some of the burden from his mother - my sister - we are asking for anyone who can contribute towards his funeral arrangements to please help out, because times like this are very difficult both emotionally and financially.

“Rest in peace little man. Gone, but never forgotten.”

After the crash police revealed that a second vehicle stolen at the same time as the Audi, a Fiat 500 Abarth, had been found in Crosby.

Two men, aged 20 and 26, were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and burglary and were later released under investigation.

Lancashire Police have confirmed that they have since been released with no charge.

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