A 19-year-old boy left a brief apology note for his mother before driving at a high speed straight into a tree, resulting in his immediate death. The tragic incident occurred on Alderholt Road in Somerley around 8:50 am on Monday, February 26, the previous year, as revealed during an inquest.
During the inquest at Winchester Coroners’ Court, forensic collision investigator Michael Toy reported that the car driven by Ewan Seath had made a direct path towards the tree without any signs of braking. Toy estimated the speed to be between 85mph and 95mph, suggesting a deliberate act of driving off the road at excessive speed without attempting to avoid the collision.
The vehicle contained a note with just the words ‘Sorry Mum’. Prior to the crash, Ewan had exchanged messages with a friend online, including a video of a car crashing into a tree on February 15. The day before the fatal incident, Ewan cryptically told his friend that “Tomorrow seems like the day.”
Concerns were raised by another friend named Amelia at the inquest, noting that Ewan had been behaving differently before his death but did not want to discuss it. On the day of his demise, he sent her an unusual message expressing love, a departure from his usual communication style.
Ewan, who had autism, had stopped taking his ADHD medication for a period as it made him feel numb due to high doses over the years. His mother observed changes in his behavior in the week leading up to his death, noting that he appeared different from his usual self.
After Ewan’s passing, his mother discovered messages on his computer that criticized him, although he had not shared this with her at the time, which was typical of his high masking autism. She praised Ewan’s intelligence, achievements, and determination in overcoming the challenges of ADHD and autism.
The post-mortem examination confirmed that Ewan succumbed to multiple injuries, with toxicology results revealing a significant presence of ADHD medication in his bloodstream. Forensic toxicologist Peter Streete explained that such levels could lead to erratic behavior and increased risk-taking tendencies.
Coroner Jason Pegg concluded that Ewan had taken his own life based on the evidence, citing the messages to his friend and the note to his mother as clear indicators of his intentions.
If you or anyone you know is struggling, remember that you are not alone. Reach out to Samaritans for free support and guidance.