THE victim of a fatal crash on the A127 “may have survived” if the driver had stopped.

Christian Taylor was killed after a “tragic accident” involving Thomas Black’s Range Rover Evoque near the Dick Turpin pub.

The crash happened on Christmas Day 2019, but Mr Taylor was not found until two days later.

Black, 27, of Middle Street, Nazeing, was arrested for causing death by dangerous driving.

Echo:

Police at the scene

However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said there was not enough evidence to support this, and Black was charged with and admitted failing to stop and failing to report a crash.

In their sentencing, the magistrates bench said: “A tragic accident with fatal consequences, the victim may have survived had the defendant stopped.”

Black was given four months in jail suspended for a year and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Taylor was confirmed dead at the scene of the crash when he was found at 9.50am on December 27.

A CPS spokesman said: “Following careful consideration it was decided the legal test to prosecute for the offences of causing death by dangerous driving or causing death by careless driving was not met.

“Forensic evidence supported the conclusion that the suspect’s driving did not fall below the expected standard at the relevant time and therefore it was determined there was not a realistic prospect of conviction for those offences.”

Echo:

The air ambulance landing near the road

Essex police referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the time taken to find Mr Taylor.

An IOPC spokesman said: “Our investigation looked at the actions of officers involved in searching the A127 in response to calls from members of the public before Mr Taylor was found.

“The investigation was completed in August last year when our report was shared with the force. We will give consideration to releasing our findings at the conclusion of the inquest.”

An inquest date has not been set by Essex Coroner's Court.