A catastrophic error by South Yorkshire Police plunged two families into a three-week nightmare of mistaken grief after officers tragically misidentified the victims of a fatal road collision.
The Night of the Crash and the Initial Mistake
In the early hours of Saturday, December 13, a car crash occurred in Rotherham, claiming two lives. The driver, an unnamed 17-year-old girl, and a passenger died at the scene. Police attending the incident incorrectly informed the family of 17-year-old Trevor Wynn, known as TJ, from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, that he was the deceased passenger.
They told another family that their 18-year-old son, Joshua Johnson, was alive but sedated in hospital with severe injuries. In reality, the situation was reversed: it was Joshua who had died, and Trevor who was fighting for his life in intensive care.
Three Weeks of Agonising Grief and a Shocking Discovery
For 22 days, Trevor Wynn's devastated parents mourned their son, began planning his funeral, and even set up a fundraising page which gathered £840 in donations. Tributes poured in online for the teenager they believed was gone.
Meanwhile, Joshua Johnson's family kept a daily vigil at the hospital bedside of the patient they were told was their son, unaware of the terrible mistake due to the extent of the injuries.
The heartbreaking truth only emerged when Trevor regained consciousness in hospital and was able to tell medical staff his correct name and date of birth. This prompted police to finally correct their error nearly a month after the crash.
Families Speak Out and Police Launch Investigation
A source close to the Wynn family described the mix-up as "disgusting", stating they were "devastated for the other lad's family." Trevor's family updated their GoFundMe page, explaining the police's initial error and confirming their focus was now on helping TJ recover and rehabilitate.
Joshua's heartbroken family have since launched their own fundraiser, which has raised over £11,000 to give the "fearless" stockcar racing enthusiast the send-off he deserves. He had only passed his driving test in September.
South Yorkshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Colin McFarlane, called the error a "huge shock" and acknowledged the additional trauma caused to both families. The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and is supporting both families.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and a 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both remain on bail as enquiries continue.
