No further action will be taken against the driver who hit a young woman with his car before she died at the scene of the crash.
Antonia St Louis, 27, was hit by a Volkswagen Golf on Manchester Road in Ashton-under-Lyne in the early hours of Saturday, November 28, 2021. She was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, after police officers found Miss St Louis lying in the road. A 28-year-old man who was travelling with Ms St Louis and was also hit by the vehicle was taken to hospital in a critical condition, but was discharged by the time the inquest opened in January of this year.
A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention, but a pre-inquest review into Miss St Louis' death heard that the driver will no longer face any legal proceedings over the matter. Identified in a hearing at South Manchester's Coroner's Court as Mr Copland, the driver of the vehicle involved received confirmation from the Crown Prosecution Service that they will be taking no further action against him earlier this month
The short hearing, held in front of senior coroner Alison Mutch, discussed several outstanding matters which needed to be resolved before the full inquest can take place, finalising the interested persons and determining whether any evidence needed to be sent out to parties. She also confirmed that there was no ongoing criminal investigation into the incident which would cause the hearing to be delayed.
When asked about the investigation, Miss Eldridge, a representative for the road policing unit at Greater Manchester Police, told the court: "The CPS have decided no further action will be taken. The criminal investigation has now concluded and that was confirmed on September 9." Mr Copland will still be considered to be an interested person in the inquest, allowing him to see the evidence and ask questions during the full hearing.
Ms Mutch adjourned the hearing for a full inquest to be held on January 5, 2023, with the full hearing expected to last for a day. An additional pre-inquest review will take place on November 3, to ensure that all details around the case have been decided, and that every interested person has a full copy of the evidence ahead of the hearing.
At the time of her death, dozens of friends and family members paid tribute to Miss St Louis, describing her as a "huge personality" with a "lust for life", with floral tributes and balloons left at the scene of the crash. In a statement released via Greater Manchester Police, her loved ones said: "Antonia was a loving daughter, sister and granddaughter.
"She was a loyal friend and loved by many. She had a huge personality and lust for life and added sunshine to many lives. She will be missed and in our hearts forever - this world will be a little darker without her."
Close friend Zoe Connor said: "My heart is absolutely breaking for you all. Antonia was the best big sister to my beautiful niece, she will be forever remembered and honoured by our family. Love and prayers to you all, rest in peace darling girl."
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