Father-to-be biker killed after high-speed crash with car
A young father-to-be died when when the motorcycle he was driving at speed crashed into a car as it pulled out of a junction, an inquest heard.
Investigators concluded Ashley Silvester, aged 20, from Wordsley, was unable to avoid contact with the silver BMW due to the speed he was travelling at.
Although they were unable to say how fast he was going in New Street, just yards from where he lived, they said CCTV footage had showed him travelling at excessive speed in the 30mph zone.
Mr Silvester was seen riding up New Street before turning around and going back in the opposite direction before the collision.
The BMW driver's view was obstructed by parked cars and as he edged out of Manor Road, he collided with the motorcycle.
Mr Silvester was thrown from the bike and into a nearby van.
Senior coroner Zafar Saddique said it was the injuries caused by hitting the van which proved to be fatal.
He was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after the crash at 7.20pm on July 5 and died four days later.
The former Ridgewood High School pupil had found out only weeks before that he was going to become a father. He worked at Furmanac in Kingswinford where he made mattresses.
A statement on behalf of West Midlands Police forensic investigator PC Paul Robbins, which was read out at the inquest, said: "The motorcycle had right of way but the BMW slowly pulled out which was reasonable in the circumstances.
"Had the motorcycle have been travelling at a slower speed it is unlikely to have been an issue, both could have reacted to each other's presence."
Mr Saddique said: "The BMW emerged to turn right. Because of the excess speed Mr Silvester didn't have time to react, colliding with the vehicle."
He recorded a verdict of death as a result of a road traffic collision.
His heartbroken girlfriend of three years, Olivia Taylor, said on behalf of stunned relatives shortly after Mr Silvester's death: "We are all devastated at the sudden loss of our grandson, son, brother, boyfriend and daddy to be.
"He was so looking forward to the birth of his child. He was so excited.
"Ashley was loved by so many."
