Kevin O’Reilly

I am Emma Serrano, Area Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Staffordshire.

On the 4 th March 2024, I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr Kevin O’Reilly.  The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 12 February 2025. The cause of death was: 1a Traumatic intracranial haemorrhage; and II Aspiration pneumonia, traumatic brain injury, polycystic kidney disease, road traffic collision

i) Kevin John O’Reilly was driving his black Mitsubishi motor vehicle, along the M6 northbound, heading towards Junction 12 on the 29 June 2023. he ran out of petrol and was stationary in lane three. His car was struck at 5:51, by a blue Volvo Heavy Goods vehicle. ii) The collision caused a traumatic brain injury. From the 29 June, until he passed away he was being treated for the brain injury in many hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. iii) On the 6 February 2024 he was admitted to the Emergency Department in Warwick Hospital and diagnosed with sepsis and chest x-rays were consistent with pneumonia. He was treated for this. Later that morning he became less alert and his pupils were unequal. A CT scan revealed a large bleed inside the brain. iv) A neurosurgical referral was made and confirmed no surgical intervention. He was placed onto a palliative care pathway and passed away on the same day from a traumatic intracranial haemorrhage.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  – i) It was accepted at inquest that Mr O’Reilly was on an all lanes open motorway. This type of motorway has all lanes open for vehicles to use, and areas for vehicles to stop every 1.6 miles, but not areas in between. ii) It was accepted that there was no area for vehicles to stop should they need to, unless they were near to the refuse areas spaced 1.6 miles apart, and the all lanes open motorways were not monitored.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.