Baby boy died from ‘catastrophic’ brain injury after van hit pram in horror smash that also left mum seriously injured
A BABY boy died from a “catastrophic” brain injury after a van hit his pram in a horror smash that also seriously injured his mum, an inquest heard.
Louis Thorold was being pushed on the pavement by mum Rachael when two vehicles collided in the road.
The crash caused a van to veer into Louis’ pram – killing the five-month-old.
His mum Rachael was left with life-changing injuries and spent more than 100 days in hospital after the horror in Cambridge in January 2021.
Shelagh Robertson, 75, was previously cleared of causing death by careless driving by reason of insanity due to her undiagnosed dementia.
A pre-inquest review heard today how an initial hospital referral suggested Louis died from a catastrophic brain injury, Cambs Times reports.
The baby’s dad Chris Thorold asked the coroner whether any further investigation into granting licensing renewals for older drivers can take place.
A full inquest is due to take place later this year at Peterborough Town Hall.
Robertson was driving home from Tesco when she turned into the path of an oncoming van on the A10 at Waterbeach.
The van killed little Louis and threw mum Rachael into the air.
One witness told how she saw “absolute terror” on the mum’s face as the van came towards them.
She added: “I saw the pram just disintegrate into pieces and go under the van.”
Robertson’s legal team told the court she had undiagnosed dementia at the time of the crash.
Prosecutors agreed she was suffering from the disease but argued “where on the slope of dementia Shelagh Robertson was in January 2021”.
Jurors were told if they were satisfied that Robertson had dementia at the time and either did not know what she was doing or did not know that what she was doing was wrong, they could return a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Rachael and Chris wept as they paid tribute to the tragic tot in a heartbreaking statement following the verdict.
They said: “Louis Thorold was the sweetest, happiest, joyful, and most beautiful baby.
“He was perfectly ours. He was our lives, he still is. We love, adore, and cherish him.
“Every moment we had with Louis was so special. We loved every single second. Louis knew only love and cuddles before he was killed by Shelagh Robertson.
“Louis’ future and all his potential stolen, a life sentence for us, his family, our community, and everyone who hears this story.”
Dad Chris said Louis’ legacy will live on through a road safety foundation set up in his name as he vowed to “look forward”.
The couple also hit out at the justice system, which they said is “designed to support the criminal, not the victims”.
And they revealed how they have not received an apology from Robertson following the crash.
The parents added: “Why Shelagh Robertson chose to do what she did that day in January, we will never know.
“Despite killing our son and leaving Rachael for dead, we have never heard from her. No message, no sympathy, no remorse
“Any good person would have simply accepted what they had done and tried to make amends.”