His family reported the possibility of a mix up following the tragic car accident on December 13
A boy, 17, was misidentified as the victim of a car crash despite the family giving a description and photo ID card to police officers trying to establish who he was, Doncaster Coroner Court heard.
At a hearing on January 8, police admitted that Joshua Johnson, 18 died, following a collision in Rotherham on December 13. Johnson and a 17 year old girl who was also in the car died, but police originally reported that Trevor Wynn, was the male killed in the accident.
The police watchdog said it was ‘clear something has gone very wrong’ resulting in ‘awful consequences’ for the families involved. The court heard how both teenagers died while a third was seriously injured when the silver Toyota Corolla they were travelling in struck a tree on Todwick Road, Rotherham.
An 18 year old has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and a 19 year old has been bailed following further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector of South Yorkshire Police, Andy Knowles, told the Coroner’s Court that Joshua’s father had concerns about a possible misidentification at the weekend. This was after the person who he was told was his son came out of sedation at Rotherham Hospital.
Mr Knowles said that Mr Johnson has now been identified using dental records that confirms who he is, “to a high degree of certainty.”
The police force have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its identification process following the incident. An investigation has already begun.
On Wednesday, January 7, in a tribute issued by police, Mr Johnson’s family described him as a “loveable, gentle giant” and said they had spent “hours in hospital with who we now know to be Trevor”.
The tribute read: “What we have been through and are continuing to go through is unimaginable.
“From the moment we were told about the collision in December, ourselves and many loved ones have spent hours in hospital with who we now know to be Trevor.
“We never wanted him to be alone. Only those we shared this time with could understand how this went on for so long.
“Neither us nor Josh’s brother can imagine life without him, and as we adjust to this new world and only just begin our journey with grief, we ask that our privacy is respected.”
Johnson’s family said: “Whilst he was 18 and exploring his independence, he was ever so genuine in his care for others – us, his brother, his grandparents, his extended family, and his many friends.
“Many of our happiest family memories were made whilst stock car racing.
“As new parents, we took Josh to his first stock car meeting at just six weeks old and he’s had a passion for this ever since.
“Through stock car racing, we’ve built a massive circle of friends and we are so very thankful for the support they and others have shown us in the last few weeks and days.
“We will treasure our holidays as a family and with friends – we explored the world together and this was something that Josh loved.”