A former fighter pilot took his personal existence and killed 4 others when he drove the unsuitable means down the M6 whilst inebriated, an inquest has dominated.
Richard Woods, 40, intentionally drove his Skoda head-on right into a Toyota at the highway close to Tebay products and services in Cumbria on 15 October closing 12 months, Cockermouth Coroner’s Court docket has formally recorded.
Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, the driving force of the Toyota, and his two sons, Filip, 15, and Dominic, seven, have been pronounced useless on the scene along Mr Rossa’s spouse, Jade McEnroe, 33.
All 4 have been from Glasgow.
Symbol: Filip, Dominic and Jaroslaw Rossa. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary 
Symbol: Jade McEnroe. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary
On Thursday, assistant coroner Margaret Taylor returned a verdict of suicide for Mr Woods.
His explanation for dying was once mentioned to be “more than one accidents”.
The inquest heard how Mr Woods, from Cambridgeshire, had served a outstanding 14-year profession within the RAF and was once a flight trainer for BAE Methods on the time of his dying.
In Ms Taylor’s report of inquest, Mr Woods was once mentioned to had been experiencing “quite a lot of stressors in his existence” and had a “historical past of destructive use of alcohol”.
At the day of his dying, considerations were raised over his behaviour at a piece convention close to Preston in Lancashire.
Ms Taylor wrote: “It was once suspected he were consuming alcohol.”
Mr Woods failed to go back to his seat after lunch and was once later noticed using unevenly and swerving throughout 3 northbound carriageway lanes at the M6.
After pulling onto the arduous shoulder, he then proceeded to U-turn and drove southward on lane 3.
Ms Taylor mentioned: “Richard took no motion to change his place at the street or practice his breaks.
“His automobile collided head-on with the Toyota Yaris. The driving force of the Toyota had no alternative to react or take motion to steer clear of the collision.
“Richard died resulting from more than one accidents sustained upon affect.”
Symbol: A stretch of the M6 was once closed following the crash, inflicting a visitors tailback. Pic: North Yorkshire Climate Updates 
Symbol: Pic: North Yorkshire Climate Updates
Toxicology studies published “prime ranges of alcohol” in Mr Woods’ blood on the time of his dying.
A forensic exam of his telephone additionally confirmed more than one searches on suicide.
Ms Taylor wrote: “At the steadiness of possibilities, on 15 October 2024 Richard Woods drove purposefully at velocity in a southerly route at the northbound carriageway in lane 3 at the M6 highway with the aim of finishing his personal existence.”
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Symbol: Dominic and Filip. Pic: Cumbria Constabulary
Following the deadly collision, Filip and Dominic’s mom Kamila paid a heartfelt tribute to her “liked angels”.
She described Filip as “very clever, delicate and stuffed with love”, including: “He was once eager about laptop video games but in addition extremely just right at chess. He liked chemistry and dreamed of finding out on the College of Glasgow.
“Dominic was once all the time smiling, very resolute and sociable. He was once extraordinarily worrying, all the time considering of others first, and the primary to lend a hand if anyone was once in hassle.
“At all times surrounded through a bunch of pals of every age. He liked dinosaurs and Pokémon, however maximum of all he liked penguins and dreamed of adopting one.
“Our lives won’t ever be the similar once more.”
Any individual feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can name Samaritans for lend a hand on 116 123 or electronic mail jo@samaritans.org in the United Kingdom. In the United States, name the Samaritans department on your space or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
