Police watchdog will not probe fatal accident on Shropshire border
The Independent Police Complaints Commission will not investigate concerns raised by the family of a man who died after being struck by a drink-driver on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, despite a review highlighting police blunders.
Julian Waskiewicz, 56, was walking his two dachshunds in Albrighton when he was hit by a silver Volvo on November 10, 2014.
A review of the collision investigation found there were a series of errors made in how Staffordshire and West Mercia police forces handled the incident including the failure to carry out the drink-drive "back calculation" procedure, and poor communication between the officers involved.
The matter was only referred by Staffordshire Police to the IPCC in June this year and the watchdog is now recommending that the force carry out its own investigation into the claims by some of the victim's relatives.
Mr Waskiewicz was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died six days later.
The driver of the car, a 63-year-old man from Shifnal, was not prosecuted for any offence. He had been drinking before the collision.
Mr Waskiewicz's family has consistently raised concerns about the investigation and feel the issues have not been resolved despite the review that was carried out by Warwickshire Police.
The accident happened on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border and officers from both forces arrived at the scene. But the subsequent inquiry described a series of blunders that hampered the investigation that was led by Staffordshire and prevented justice being done.
IPCC spokesman Dylan Evans said: "This matter was voluntary referred to the IPCC by Staffordshire Police on June 2 this year and following a careful assessment it was sent back to the force on June 7 to carry out a local investigation."
