Ethan Allen, 15, from Oldham, died two days after he was hit by a car driven by Abdul Wahid on King Street in Oldham on May 21, 2024. An inquest at Rochdale Coroners Court on July 15 heard that Wahid was likely under the influence of cannabis and driving over the speed limit.
Witness Describes Fatal Moments
Harris Rashid, who witnessed the crash, said he saw Ethan "skipping and dancing" as he crossed the road. "His back was facing oncoming traffic," Rashid told the court. "I remember the friend who was with him saying something like 'get out of the road,' but it was too late." Rashid claimed Wahid initially undertook him and "whizzed by" as he approached the traffic lights near Oldham Leisure Centre.
Ethan's mother, Gillian Walsh, described him as a "loving" young man with "the most amazing smile" who aspired to be a basketball player. His father, Gordon Allen, broke down in tears, saying, "I would have loved to see him achieve his dreams. Nothing would have stopped him."
Driver's Account and Denials
Abdul Wahid told the court he was heading home after buying his family a takeaway. He said he saw a pedestrian with "long hair" in the middle lane, believed to be Ethan's girlfriend, but did not see Ethan until the last moment. Wahid claimed Ethan ran "across the road" and he swerved to the right lane and applied his brakes to avoid the collision. He denied weaving in and out of traffic and said he was driving at 25 mph.
When asked if he accepted being under the influence of cannabis, Wahid initially said yes but later changed his answer to no after being reminded of his rights. He also disagreed that driving at speed under the influence of cannabis was "exceptionally bad driving."
Forensic Evidence and Coroner's Findings
Forensic collision investigator David Bennett told the court that CCTV footage was limited but indicated a probability that Wahid was traveling in excess of 30 mph. "It looks like he was continuing at the same speed, suggesting that there is no effective braking," Bennett said. Ethan's head hit the windscreen before he was launched several feet into the air.
Assistant coroner Joanne Logan recorded that Wahid was "driving under the influence of cannabis over the speed limit." She noted that while DS Thomas Johnson could not specify the impact of cannabis on reaction time, she was satisfied with the finding. The medical cause of death was traumatic brain injury, and the death was recorded as an accident.
Logan thanked Ethan's family for attending and praised their decision to donate his organs.
