A coroner has concluded that Ronaldo Johnson, 17, was unlawfully killed after Elliot Martin, now 22, was jailed for six years for causing the death of the talented teenager. Ronaldo suffered “unsurvivable” injuries in a high-velocity car crash in Manchester in the early hours of March 31, 2021. Elliot Martin led police on a chase before his car crashed into a taxi at speed, resulting in Ronaldo’s death a week later. The coroner found that Ronaldo wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and died from head and chest injuries caused by the collision.
The emergency services responded promptly to the crash scene, and Ronaldo received oxygen from police officers. A pathologist determined his cause of death as “multi-organ failure caused by head and chest injuries.” The coroner noted that Martin had been driving dangerously at excessive speeds, leading to Ronaldo’s “unsurvivable injuries.” Pc Stuart Oram, the police officer on patrol during the chase, admitted that he should have requested emergency services sooner but believed they were already aware of the situation. Dr. Nigel Zoltie, an A&E consultant, stated that no earlier interventions would have changed Ronaldo’s outcome.
Ronaldo’s family paid loving tributes to the talented young footballer, describing him as selfless with a heart of gold. His dream was to become a mechanic and open his own garage. His death left a massive hole in his family’s lives, and he is greatly missed by his loved ones. Ronaldo’s sister, Keshia, expressed the impact of losing her brother, stating that he is missed every day, and his absence is deeply felt. The coroner concluded that Ronaldo was unlawfully killed due to Martin’s dangerous driving, for which he was sentenced to six years in prison.
Elliot Martin was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving following the crash that led to Ronaldo’s unlawful killing. In the court hearing, it was revealed that Martin had fled the scene briefly before returning and being arrested by the police. The coroner acknowledged that Ronaldo’s injuries were severe and fatal due to the impact of the crash caused by Martin’s high-speed driving. The tragedy had a profound impact on Ronaldo’s family, who continue to mourn the loss of the young footballer, remembering him as an inspirational figure who brightened every room with his smile.
Despite the prompt response of the emergency services and medical interventions, Ronaldo’s injuries were too severe to be survivable. The pathologist’s report and Dr. Zoltie’s analysis confirmed that nothing could have altered the outcome of Ronaldo’s injuries, even if interventions were made earlier. Pc Oram’s decision to chase Martin during the incident did not impact Ronaldo’s fate, as concluded by the coroner. The tragic incident highlighted the dangers of reckless driving and its devastating consequences, leaving Ronaldo’s family and friends to cope with the grief and loss of a beloved young talent.
