A CARER who failed to stop after hitting an 18-year-old on a country road drove under the influence of cannabis when he made his way to a police station to hand himself in.

John Shepherd hit Chayse West on September 18, 2022, whilst driving to Colchester to pick up colleagues so they could begin their shift for Prime Care.

On Monday, an inquest heard how Mr Shepherd drove under the influence of cannabis when he travelled to Clacton police station to inform them he was the driver at the time of the incident.

There was no suggestion Mr Shepherd was under the influence of drink or drugs at the time of the collision which killed Mr West.

Gazette: Loved – a tribute to Chayse West was read out in court by area coroner for Essex, Lincoln BrookesLoved – a tribute to Chayse West was read out in court by area coroner for Essex, Lincoln Brookes (Image: Family)

Addressing Mr Shepherd, Area coroner for Essex, Lincoln Brookes, said: “You were charged with some offences relating to September 19, 2022 – failing to stop and failing to report?”

Mr Shepherd replied: “Yes.”

Mr Brookes continued: “After the journey to the police station, you have pleaded guilt to driving under the influence of cannabis.”

Mr Shepherd replied: “Yes.”

Following the incident, Mr Shepherd was subsequently sentenced to a 17-week jail term, suspended for one year.

The inquest also heard how Mr Shepherd made no reference to the incident when he picked up his colleague, Kevin Matthew, telling him to sit in the back seat because the front passenger door wouldn’t open.

In a statement read to the inquest, Mr Matthew said: “I noticed the car’s glass was cracked and I assumed [Mr Shepherd] had been in some sort of accident.

“I asked him what happened and he didn’t tell me anything – it seemed he didn’t walk to talk about it, so I dropped the topic.”

Gazette: Collision – Chayse West was likely to have been walking on the carriageway of the B1027 when he was hit by a car driven by John Shepherd in 2022Collision – Chayse West was likely to have been walking on the carriageway of the B1027 when he was hit by a car driven by John Shepherd in 2022 (Image: Google Street View)

When asked about the conversation at Monday’s inquest, Mr Shepherd denied it had taken place.

The coroner was also sceptical about Mr Shepherd’s statement that Mr West “jumped out” in front of his car on the B1027.

He said: “I’m not inclined to find Mr West jumped out in front of a moving car – there was no suggestion he was suicidal or wanted to do something reckless like that.

“I rule out the intentional theory.”