Joshua Johnson dies in fatal Rotherham car crash

Joshua Johnson dies in fatal Rotherham car crash

Fatal Rotherham car crash death of Joshua Johnson – Obituary

Joshua Johnson, 18, has been confirmed as the teenager who died following a serious road traffic collision in Rotherham, after police acknowledged a tragic identification error that initially led to the wrong family being notified.

The crash occurred on Todwick Road on December 13, when two young males and a 17-year-old girl were involved in a severe collision. In the immediate aftermath, authorities believed Joshua Johnson had survived and was receiving treatment in hospital, while 17-year-old Trevor Wynn was thought to have died at the scene.

South Yorkshire Police later confirmed that this information was incorrect. After concerns were raised and additional forensic checks were carried out, officers established that Trevor Wynn was in fact the survivor who had been hospitalized, while Joshua Johnson had died from his injuries.

Before the mistake was discovered, tributes poured in online for Trevor Wynn, describing him as a kind and gentle teenager, and a fundraising campaign was launched in his name that raised several hundred pounds. The error added further distress for both families once the truth emerged.

South Yorkshire Police have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review how the identification process was handled following the crash. The force said it would fully cooperate with any investigation and examine procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said the situation had caused significant additional trauma for those affected and acknowledged the shock experienced by both families. He confirmed that specialist officers and support services would be made available, and that he had offered to meet with the parents of both teenagers to address their concerns.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the collision, an 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while a 19-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both individuals have been released on bail while inquiries continue.