Tom Grindey, 21, was ‘ragging’ his BMW along a dual carriageway when he clipped a Renault Clio and crashed into a wooded area, with paramedics pronouncing him dead at the scene
A fun-loving thrill-seeker was killed after he “ragged” his BMW up and down a dual carriageway at 133mph. Tom Grindey was just 21 when he lost his life after racing between two roundabouts with his friend in the front passenger seat.
On his third circle around the route, he collided with a Renault Clio as its driver was trying to overtake another vehicle. Tom ended up veering into a layby before crashing through a grass verge and into a wooded area. Emergency responders were unable to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An inquest into his death at Stoke Civic Centre heard from Tom’s friend, William Plant, who was a passenger in the BMW. He told the hearing he could not believe how fast the car was when he went in it for the first time, reports StokeonTrent Live.
Deer smashes through van in horror crash as antlers left sticking out of windscreen Cyclists may soon face tougher laws as UK government vows new powers
He described Tom – who worked as a car sprayer at Fast Lane Motors in Trentham – as a ‘risk-taker and a thrill-seeker’. He said: “He started to rag it and go really fast as he knew there were no speed cameras in this section. He went past the layby. I could see people had started to gather there. He seemed in control. Tom was still accelerating, I saw the Clio start to indicate. I thought, ‘What is he going to do’? He turned the wheel to the right with both hands. The airbags went off. I did not come around until I saw blue flashing lights.
“Tom would never have wanted to put me in any danger. It was just the wrong place, wrong time. If I was to say who was to blame I would say Tom as he was going too fast. I do not think the driver of the Clio was to blame. He just loved the thrill of driving fast.” Paying tribute to his pal, William added: “If I ever had any issues he would be there for me every single time.”
In a moving statement, Tom’s grandma, Christine Gamble, said Tom was a ‘fun-loving person who liked to party’. She added: “He thoroughly enjoyed his work. He was a season ticket holder at Stoke City. He was not a smoker and not an excessive drinker. He had been on a health kick and lost two-and-a-half stone. He started regularly running 10km after work.
“He had driven since he was aged 18. His first car was a Ford Fiesta but he always wanted a BMW. He always used a seatbelt, never used a mobile phone and followed the rules of the road.
“In August 2024 he was in a road traffic collision. He bought a dashcam which was fitted on the day of the collision. He bought the grey BMW in September 2024. He resprayed it and had new tyres fitted and fitted a dashcam. It looked like a brand new car.”
She said on the day of the collision Tom, of Trentham, went to the barbers before working at Powerleague, Trentham Lakes. Mrs Gamble said: “He was in his usual jovial mood.” He watched Stoke City and later went out. Mrs Gamble added: “Tom was a fun-loving and very generous person. He would do anything for anybody. He was a popular person and was loved by everyone.”
PC Adam Shaw, of Staffordshire Police’s forensic collision unit, said dashcam footage showed the BMW was on its third journey from Trentham to the Monkey Forest when the collision occurred. PC Shaw said: “From the clips it is clear that the BMW was driving erratically and at excessive speed.”
He added that someone in the car pressed the hazards on. Another officer determined the average speed of the BMW over a 72 metre distance prior to the collision was 133.5mph and the speedometer had frozen at approximately 135mph.
The Clio driver was about to overtake a vehicle. PC Shaw said: “The BMW came out of nowhere. She did not see the BMW. When she has done her mirror checks it is likely the BMW was not in her mirror or it was that far back she did not perceive it to be a hazard to her. If there had been headlights in the distance behind her she would not expect the headlights to be beside her in a couple of seconds.”
The hearing heard no action was taken against the Clio driver or anybody as a result of the collision. A toxicity report showed there was no drugs or alcohol in his system. Dr Terry Jones, who carried out a post mortem examination, gave the cause of death as 1a, multiple injuries and 1b. road traffic collision.
Assistant Coroner Lindsey Tonks concluded Tom died as a result of a road traffic collision. She said: “This was an absolutely tragic incident with a lasting impact on all his loved ones. He is greatly missed by all who knew him.
“He had a long-standing love of cars. He was said to have been a thrill-seeker. Fast cars were a passion he enjoyed in life but sadly would ultimately lead to his demise. He is someone who is greatly missed by those around him.
“On November 2, 2024 Thomas Lewis Grindey was driving at excessive speed on the southbound carriageway of the A34 Stone Road. He collided with a vehicle travelling in the same direction which was attempting to overtake another vehicle at the time. Mr Grindey died at the scene.”
