The family of a teenager who died in a Yorkshire car crash have described their "unimaginable" suffering after police forces mistakenly identified another young man as the victim for several days.
A Tragic Collision and a Painful Error
Joshua Johnson, aged 18, lost his life following a collision on Todwick Road near Rotherham in the early hours of Thursday, 13 December. Another teenager, 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 had died. Meanwhile, Joshua Johnson was believed to be a surviving casualty who was sedated and receiving treatment in hospital.
It was not until Sunday that "information came to light" prompting further checks, as stated by the force. Subsequent tests confirmed the devastating reversal: Trevor Wynn was the patient in hospital, and Joshua Johnson was the young man who had died at the scene on the road between Dinnington and Todwick.
A Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
In a moving statement issued through the police, Joshua's loved ones paid tribute to their "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 expressed bewilderment that the situation continued for so long and asked for privacy as they begin their journey with grief. "Neither us nor Josh’s brother can imagine life without him," they added.
Remembering their son, they described a genuinely caring young man who had a lifelong passion for stock car racing, a hobby the whole family shared. "As new parents, we took Josh to his first stock car meeting at just six weeks old and he’s had a passion for this ever since," they recalled.
Investigation and Aftermath
In response to the serious error in its victim identification process, South Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). This move triggers an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mistake.
Separately, the police investigation into the fatal 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 procedures in the immediate aftermath of traumatic incidents, not only for the course of justice but for the families plunged into sudden and devastating loss.
