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How did father die on killer road?

VICTIM: Philip Reeves
VICTIM: Philip Reeves

A GRIEVING sister has vowed to fight for justice and discover the truth about how father-of-four Philip Reeves died on Medway's killer road - the A228.

It follows the decision of Medway coroner Roger Sykes to record an open verdict on Mr Reeves who died last May after an accident with a lorry.

The Bulgarian lorry driver, Petko Karchev told the inquest at the Municipal Buildings, Gillingham, that Mr Reeves, from Tern Crescent, Strood, had been driving on the wrong side of the road. But police evidence confirmed that the impact had been on Mr Reeves' side of the road.

The Crown Prosecution Service looked into the case at the beginning of April but found insufficient evidence to bring it to court. Mr Sykes was told that there was no realistic prospect of charges against Mr Karchev.

Addressing the family after the verdict was recorded, Mr Sykes said: "I know that Philip's family will share my unease that the complete picture has not been established and I express my deep condolences.

"Philip Reeves was driving on the correct side of the road when the crash happened. The circumstances cause them immense unhappiness and I can do no more than to express my immense condolences."

After the inquest, Mr Reeves' sister Linda Burgess said: "We want justice and we want to see the man brought to court.

"He keeps on changing his evidence but the police evidence said the acident happened on the side of the road Philip was driving on."

* Thirty people have died on the A228 since 1984 and the road is subject of a safety campaign by Medway council, Medway Police and the Medway Messenger newspaper.

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