Police Complaints Commission launches probe into death of Plymouth man
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into police action prior to the death of a St Budeaux man in a horror crash on the A38.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has begun an inquiry following the death of David Perrin, a 29-year-old father-of-three who died on January 22.
His mother, Julie, said she was told of the investigation the day after her son's funeral service on Wednesday.
The white Vauxhall Astra van Mr Perrin was driving crashed into a barrier and flipped over on the Cornwall-bound carriageway of the A38 near Manadon roundabout shortly after 5.30pm.
Mr Perrin was treated at the scene but later transferred to Derriford Hospital where, despite the efforts of medical staff, he died of his injuries.
His passenger, Michael Pell, was thrown from the van and suffered non-life threatening injuries.
In a statement, the IPCC said a member of the public called Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to report "seeing two males staggering from a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the area of Moorview Terrace" at 4.10pm on the day of the accident.
The witness told police they saw the men "get into a white Astra van," the statement added.
Rebecca Marsh, IPCC Commissioner for South West England, said: "My condolences go to Mr Perrin's family and friends for their loss. They have been told about our investigation and we will arrange to meet them in due course.
"The IPCC will investigate the actions taken by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary after receiving a report from a concerned member of the public.
"Although police resources were deployed they did not stop the car driving away.
"Our investigation will look at the individual actions of those officers who dealt with this report and we will also look at force policies and training."
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We are aware of the IPCC investigation and we will co-operate fully with them throughout and respond to any requests that they make.
"Obviously it is not appropriate to comment further until the IPCC investigation has come to a end."
David's mother, 55-year-old Julie Perrin, said she was visited by representatives of the IPCC yesterday to inform her of the investigation.
She said: "After all that been said about him, then this comes out. It's very difficult." Julie said the IPPC explained about the witness statement which has led to the investigation. She said: "I really don't need this now – the funeral was only on Wednesday. A lot of people turned up to say goodbye to David."
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by dazzaboyle
Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:12AM
“flounder123, once again you cant get your facts right!!! its nothing like how you stated, your just repeating Chinese whispers without really knowing the truth, why cant people keep their petty comments to themselves at a time like this????? A BLOODY MAN HAS DIED, NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCE!!!”
by susanann1724
Friday, February 10 2012, 9:15PM
“We as people asume what we read an get told is always right.we realy should see the bigger picture an the fact is we dont know the facts...What we do know is this is someones dad,son and friend.A good man who was very popular well liked and respected by many.This man would do anything for anyone includeing me recently and i barely knew him.His mum was right when she said nothing was to much trouble,if there were more people like david perrin in this world it surely would be a much better place thats for sure.My thoughts are with his family and friends,r.i.p dave you sure will be missed by a lot of people x”
by flounder123
Friday, February 10 2012, 8:08PM
“They were refused anymore drink in the tamar pub, the landlord also asked them to leave. They then drove to kfc, and were repoted by staff to the police. A serious accident it may have been, but there can be no excuse for drink driving, people may be grieving and that in itself is sad, but thankfully it was only his own life he took whilst being in that state.”
by northernchimp
Friday, February 10 2012, 7:28PM
“I agree Dezza, the family photo says it all and is heartbreaking. That said, if he had been drinking he deserves his name dragging through the mud. I lost my 13 year old nephew to the actions of a drink driver, I genuinely hope my own assumptions are wrong.
I realise this will hurt his innocent family and friends, but to tiptoe round the issue would be an insult to people like my innocent nephew. Herald haven't helped here.”
by Vinnie_Gar
Friday, February 10 2012, 7:02PM
“dazzaboyle
It's responsible journalism at its finest.
Note the wording.
It implies that the driver was staggering drunk without actually saying it. Writing it like that means the paper can deny it.”
by dazzaboyle
Friday, February 10 2012, 6:34PM
“No matter what people want to speculate the fact here is a man has died, a father, a son, a brother, a friend, why cant people just get on with their sad lives and stop looking for juicy gossip!!! you'll never know the real facts, and it says it all when the herald cant even spell the passengers name correctly!! Davids family are grieving and you lot are tearing there name to shreds, get your facts right before making your own assumptions!!!”
by MickBarb
Friday, February 10 2012, 4:48PM
“Did the post-mortem find he'd been drinking?”
by Tessa43
Friday, February 10 2012, 4:32PM
“I also know for a fact, if someone is reported for drink driving, the police will follow them for a while before pulling them over. This I believe is to see how well or how badly they are driving and possibly to record it on camera.”
by FOXFAN99
Friday, February 10 2012, 2:47PM
“If (and I say if) this man was drinking prior to driving his vehicle then my sympathy is virtually non existant.”
by josdave
Friday, February 10 2012, 1:51PM
“I agree with tomb-raider the second offence should be al least five years ban and maybe, just maybe, the threat of a life ban for a third offence would be a deterrent. The sentences for drink driving are far too lenient.”