A driver who had consumed drugs and alcohol was killed when his van crashed into a wall, an inquest has heard.
Ben Cooper, 25, of Emley, died in the horror crash on Lane Head Road, Shepley, on the evening of Sunday May 26.
Ben’s parents Julie and Nicholas Cooper heard at an inquest into his death yesterday in Huddersfield, that his judgement was impaired by ecstasy, Methadrone (also known as M-Cat) and alcohol.
Ben’s father Nicholas paid tribute in a statement: “He was a lovely lad.
“Anything life threw at Ben, he did it. He was popular with the ladies. He had a lot of friends”.
The court heard evidence showed Ben did not brake to stop the Ford Transit van when it gradually veered into the wrong side of the road after a bend.
The inquest called evidence from two passengers, John Walker and Neil Jenning, who were in the vehicle at the time of the crash and were also injured.
Both said they had travelled more than two miles from a friend’s home to the Sovereign crossroads and they did not notice anything unusual about Ben’s driving.
Mr Jennings told he had no recollection after that point but Mr Walker said: “I remember he swerved slightly to the left and then a sharp swerve to the right as though to correct it.
“I didn’t think it was as bad as it was. I then heard two loud bangs. The next thing I knew I woke up and we were in front of a tree.”
Keith Rayner, a police crash investigator, said there were no problems with the van or the road.
Coroner Mary Burke concluded: “After he has negotiated a right hand bend he has come into contact with the kerb. His vehicle has travelled in a gradual right hand bend and crossed over onto the opposite carriageway.
“For some reason Ben hasn’t appeared to reposition the van which has continued in the right hand bend, mounted a bank and then come into collision with a tree.”
The court heard Ben had been treated for drug-induced psychosis in 2006 and spent time in mental health facilities.
He worked as a self-employed car salesman and property restorer.
The court heard his psychosis returned in January this year at the sudden death of his 12-year-old sister Jessica.
The court heard on the day of the crash he had been with a group of friends and during an earlier journey had clipped the wing mirror or a car.
Post mortem results recorded Ben died from a skull fracture and internal bleeding caused by road traffic collision influenced by drugs and alcohol.
Mrs Burke said: “All three substances would have impaired his ability to safely control a motor vehicle and could have adversely affected his judgement.”
She concluded Ben died as a result of a road traffic collision.
Det Con John Moor, who investigated the crash as part of the Major Collision Team for West Yorkshire Police, warned: “Particularly leading up to the festive period the message needs to get out.
“Driving on drugs and alcohol can result in tragic consequences.”
