The family of a teenager who died in a car crash in South Yorkshire have described their "unimaginable" ordeal after police mistakenly identified another boy as the victim for several days.
A Tragic Collision and a Painful Error
Joshua Johnson, an 18-year-old from the local area, lost his life in a collision on Todwick Road near Rotherham in the early hours of Thursday, 13 December. Another young person, 17-year-old Summer Louise Scott, was also killed in the incident.
In the immediate aftermath, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) informed the family of 17-year-old Trevor Wynn that he was the male victim who had died. Meanwhile, Joshua Johnson was believed to be a surviving casualty receiving treatment under sedation in hospital.
It was not until Sunday that "information came to light" prompting further checks by the force. Subsequent tests confirmed the devastating truth: Trevor Wynn was alive and being treated in hospital, and it was Joshua who had died at the scene on the road between Dinnington and Todwick.
'A Loveable, Gentle Giant': A Family's Tribute
In a heartfelt statement issued through the police, Joshua's grieving family paid tribute to their son, whom they described as a "loveable, gentle giant". They revealed the profound distress caused by the identification error.
"What we have been through and are continuing to go through is unimaginable," the family said. "From the moment we were told about the collision in December, ourselves and many loved ones have spent hours in hospital with who we now know to be Trevor. We never wanted him to be alone."
They added that only those who shared the experience could understand how the mistaken identity continued for so long. The family asked for privacy as they begin their "journey with grief", stating that neither they nor Joshua's brother could imagine life without him.
Remembering their son, they said: "Whilst he was 18 and exploring his independence, he was ever so genuine in his care for others." They shared that some of their happiest family memories were made at stock car racing events, a passion Joshua had held since he was first taken to a meeting at just six weeks old.
Investigation and Aftermath
In response to the serious error, South Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its identification process following the fatal crash.
Separately, the police investigation into the collision itself continues. Officers previously confirmed that an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. A 19-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both individuals have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
The case has highlighted the critical importance of accurate victim identification in major incidents, a process that, when it fails, can compound the anguish of bereaved families during the most traumatic of times.
