A police officer who died after crashing his car at nearly 100mph in Essex took his own life, an inquest has concluded. Louie Day, 23, was a trainee with the Metropolitan Police when his vehicle struck a tree on the A414 near Ongar in the early hours of September 5 last year.
There were no witnesses to the collision, but a passerby found Mr Day shortly afterwards. He had been ejected from the car and suffered multiple injuries to his head, chest and abdomen. At Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford on Thursday, Area Coroner Michelle Brown recorded a conclusion of suicide, noting that Mr Day had left a 'note of intention'.
The court heard that Mr Day had been driving at an estimated speed of 96 to 99 mph at the time of the crash. A delivery driver reported seeing a car perform a three-point turn in the middle of the road before speeding away. Medical tests found no alcohol or drugs in Mr Day's system, and it was noted that he was sitting on his seatbelt rather than wearing it.
Mr Day, from Brentwood, had been a response officer with the Met's East Area Command, based in Barking and Dagenham, and had previously served as a PCSO for two years. His family paid tribute, describing him as a 'beautiful soul' who would be 'greatly missed'.
