Dudley crash victim was 'riding a stolen motorbike', an inquest heard

Brandon Holt lost control of the blue and silver Yamaha after going over a speed bump on Wrens Nest Road in Dudley just after 6.10am on Sunday, May 29.

The teenager, who did not steal the bike himself, had cocaine in his system and was not wearing any safety gear.

He had also been disqualified from driving in March 2015, Black Country Coroner's Court was told.

Collision investigator Pc Justin Williams estimated that after losing control Brandon could have slid along the road with the bike at a speed of up to 51mph based on the scrapes at the scene.

The forensic reconstruction officer stated he collided into a stationary Fiat Punto at more than 20mph forcing the vehicle to move one metre back up on to the kerb.

But Pc Williams said he was unable to calculate how fast Brandon was travelling on the 30mph road before hitting the speed bump.

The teenager was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but died later that day.

A pathologist confirmed the medical cause of death as abdominal injuries.

The court heard the bike had been stolen earlier that morning and police had since found the culprit and dealt with them separately.

It was taken to where Brandon lived on Hillside Road, to see if the teen, who was a motorbike enthusiast, could help get it started.

When he managed to get it going he was the first to ride it leading to the fatal collision in the next street.

Pc Williams confirmed there was no defect in the bike which could have contributed.

Senior Coroner Zafar Siddique recorded a verdict of death as a result of a road traffic collision.

He said: "On the balance of probabilities it appears to be a driver error. He was experienced but the combination of speed, hitting the speed bump and the possibility of the probable effects of using cocaine which may have affected his impairment, have sadly led to this RTC."

Mr Siddique added: "This was an absolute tragedy, he had his whole life ahead of him and this is a tragic waste of such a young life."

Brandon's brother Mitch Holt paid tribute to him during the hearing.

He said: "He was an individual lad and liked doing things his own way. He was very independent.

"When he set his mind to something he did it. He could be naughty sometimes but he had a heart of gold. He was my best friend."

A memorial event was held in the teenagers honour following the crash.

Background to the incident here:

• Dudley teenager killed in bike crash named as Brandon Holt

• Was teen killed in crash tragedy riding a stolen bike? Police confirm theft theory probe