A 23-year-old trainee police officer who died after his car struck a tree at speeds of up to 100mph has been ruled to have taken his own life, an inquest has concluded.
Louie Day, a probationary officer with the Metropolitan Police, was killed in the early hours of September 5 last year on the A414 near Ongar, Essex. He was found by a passer-by after being ejected from the vehicle. The inquest at Essex Coroner's Court heard that Mr Day had left a 'note of intention'.
Area Coroner Michelle Brown recorded a conclusion of suicide, stating that Mr Day died from multiple injuries to the head, chest and abdomen. Experts estimated his speed at between 96 and 99mph. No drugs or alcohol were found in his system, and he was not wearing his seatbelt properly.
A delivery driver reported seeing a car perform a three-point turn in the road before speeding away. Mr Day had been a police community support officer for two years before joining the Metropolitan Police as a response officer based in Barking and Dagenham.
His family paid tribute, saying: 'It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the passing of our son, Louie Day, a beautiful soul who has left this world and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.'
