Popular Newark teenager died in car crash, inquest hears

A popular teenager who had not passed his driving test died after crashing his car in what was described as a desperately tragic case.

Lewis Harrison Hopewell, 18, of Newark, died almost instantly when the blue Seat Ibiza he was driving left the road and crashed near the Brough rest area on the southbound A46 at around 12.30am on September 27.

He died of multiple injuries.

There was a huge outpouring of support for his family following the crash, with more than 400 people attending the funeral of the former Magnus Academy and Newark College student.

At an inquest in Nottingham on Monday, attended by family and 13 of his friends, a statement from Lewis’s mother Nichola was read out.

She paid tribute to his generosity, noting that just a week before his death Lewis had performed an act of kindness in Newark.

“He was incredibly generous in his nature,” she said.

“We were on a night out when we saw a homeless male. He engaged in conversation with the male.

“Lewis went away and came back holding a takeaway and a £10 note.

“The man said he was an angel sent from heaven.

“Afterwards, he (Lewis) said we should set up a soup kitchen to help others.

“He was spontaneous and fun-loving. He always wanted to support people where he could.

“He always ended his conversations by telling me he loved me.

“Lewis was not just my son but my best friend.”

Lewis was due to begin a business course at Lincoln College on the day of his death.

Friends who had seen him reported that he had been in a happy mood, socialising and partying.

He later had got into the car that had been bought for him when he passed his test.

His mother, Nichola Hopewell, said she had never seen him drive it and she would never have allowed it.

She had since learned, however, that he had driven the car previously.

The inquest heard that toxicology reports showed that at the time of his death Lewis was under the influence of alcohol, had used MDMA (ecstasy) and had drugs “at a therapeutic level” in his system.

PC Stephen Smith, of the East Midlands Operational Support Service’s serious collision investigation unit gave evidence.

When questioned by the senior coroner for Nottinghamshire, Mairin Casey, about what speed the car was travelling at the time of the crash, he said: “Although I cannot work out a precise speed (it would have been) 70-plus – around that sort of figure.”

Miss Casey noted that Lewis may have been travelling at the legal speed on the road, which was 70mph.

She said it was difficult to conclude if anything had distracted Lewis while he was driving, but PC Smith ruled out any problems with the car itself.

Miss Casey said the toxicology reports suggested that the substances may have had an impact on Lewis’s reactions.

In recording a conclusion that Lewis died as a result of a road traffic collision, Miss Casey said: “This is a desperately tragic case.

“We cannot answer all of the questions the family may have.

“No other car was involved in the collision.

“We know he (Lewis) was not an experienced driver. The toxicology results…suggested his perception may have been impaired.

“My final comments are to Lewis’s family and friends. The fact you have come here today in such numbers is a reflection of how loved he was. I cannot begin to imagine what the loss is like.

“Nichola, I have to accept there are no words to articulate what Lewis meant to you.”