‘Daddy was driving and daddy fell asleep’: Five-year-old girl found in car wreckage next to dad’s body
William Marren “dozed off” at the wheel of his Ford Fiesta before it ploughed straight into a tree
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl found in the wreckage of a crashed car told her rescuers "daddy was driving and daddy went to sleep", an inquest heard.
William Marren, 25, is believed to have “dozed off” at the wheel of his Ford Fiesta before it ploughed straight into a tree en route to his daughter’s parents’ house.
He was found hours later by cyclists with his little girl trapped inside the mangled car just off the isolated B5030 in Crakemarsh, Staffordshire on November 1 last year.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but Mr Marren, a supervisor at a metal finishing company, was pronounced dead.
The terrified five-year-old suffered minor injuries, but it is unknown how long she was trapped next to her father’s lifeless body.
The inquest was told the young father had consumed a large amount of cocaine and alcohol after a “heck of a day” at work.
Tests confirmed he had levels of cocaine, MDMA and ethanol in his system.
PC Sarah Mulvey, of the collision investigation unit, said it was likely the driver lost control of the car before it collided into a grass verge and ploughed into a tree.
The vehicle sustained substantial damage including a detached engine and a distorted roof panel.
Although the speed of the vehicle could not be gauged, the coroner also heard the driver had not been wearing a seatbelt prior to the crash and that loss of control was a major factor.
South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh said: “Although I cannot be sure about this I think it is likely that he had had no sleep. In any event it is a genuine tragic accident.”
Speaking at the time of the tragedy, Mr Marren's heartbroken family said: "William was a young man with his whole life ahead of him.
"He worked really hard to support his family and adored his two little girls.
"William had a kind-hearted, positive and fun personality.
"He was an experienced driver, having passed his driving test seven years ago and a keen sportsman. If he had been able to, he would have worked seven days a week."
The coroner recorded a verdict of multiple injuries and accidental death.