HALCYON THEURI DEATH: Young Derbyshire chef 'would not have suffered', inquest hears

A young man found dead in a Derbyshire road had injuries consistent with being hit by a moving vehicle, an inquest heard.
Halcyon Theuri.Halcyon Theuri.
Halcyon Theuri.

The hearing was told that 21-year-old chef Halcyon Theuri was found in the middle of Wingfield Road on the outskirts of Alfreton shortly before 4am on August 31 last year.

Following his death, police arrested a 51-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and a 60-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

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In October, Police said there was insufficient evidence to bring charges and closed their investigation into Mr Theuri's death.

Today, Derby coroners' court heard evidence from Dr Stuart Hamilton, the pathologist who examined Mr Theuri at the scene, and from Alan Bramley, a taxi driver who was in the area at the time of Mr Theuri's death.

The court heard that Mr Theuri, of Alfreton, was found in the road with a straight line of head and facial injuries, which Dr Hamilton said would suggest an impact with a corner or narrow edge of a moving vehicle.

Dr Hamilton determined the cause of Mr Theuri's death was head injuries but told the family that he would not have suffered for long.

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He said: "It was a very severe head injury involving all of the brain, so it was inevitably fatal – nothing could have been done for him.

"This was not an injury which could have been survived."

Speaking to Mr Theuri's parents, Dr Hamilton added: "What I think is important to tell you is that he did not lie in that road suffering."

A toxicology report revealed that Mr Theuri had a blood alcohol level of 222mg per 100ml of blood – the drink drive limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood.

Dr Hamilton said that, although the effects of alcohol are variable, it would be fair to say that Mr Theuri would have been unsteady on his feet.

The inquest continues tomorrow.

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