Sussex man died after intentionally driving towards lorry on A23

Miles Hurley, 23, was suffering from an acute psychotic episode when he took his dad’s car out and crashed it.

A jury inquest concluded he died at 5.58am on July 10, 2022, on the A23 near Bolney. Multiple injuries and a psychotic episode linked to his chronic cannabis dependency which had developed after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016 were recorded as the cause of his death.

In the days before the tragic incident, Miles, from Cuckfield, had become increasingly delusional and developed a belief in conspiracy theories. He also believed his family were in a cult.

Just two days before he died, on July 8, Miles went missing and caused damage by throwing a breeze block at someone’s car.

The scene of the crash on July 10, 2022. Police closed the A23 in both directions to carry out investigation work

This was reported to the police by a member of the public and Sussex Police created a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) record.

Miles’s family reported him as missing to the police that day. They said this was out of character and that his mental health was impaired. Miles, who suffered from social anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia after his cancer diagnosis, returned to his home of his own volition around 10.30pm that day.

The next day, Miles left home around 8.30am in the family car and interacted with an off-duty police officer at his home address.

His wife called the police on 999 and said Miles’s behaviour indicated mental health issues.

Another CAD record was added to reflect a member of the public’s report that Miles was presenting with mental health issues indicating a risk to himself in a public place.

Later that morning Miles drove dangerously, damaged a police car and failed to stop.

He was arrested around 11.10am on July 9, 2022, for criminal damage, dangerous driving and driving under the influence.

Miles was delusional at this time and thought he was playing the video game Grand Theft Auto while driving recklessly, the coroner’s report said.

READ MORE: Tributes paid to 'irreplaceable' friend and daughter killed in crash

At the time of his arrest Miles was presenting behaviour that could be perceived as intoxication and/or mental ill-health.

In the following interactions and before he was remanded into custody Miles showed signs of mental ill-health.

The jury inquest, led by assistant coroner for West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Dr Karen Henderson, concluded that “limited information related to these interactions and previous supporting mental health concerns were passed from arresting officers, to transporting officers to custody staff”.

Dr Henderson raised concerns about the police’s handling of Miles and has asked Sussex Police's Chief Constable Jo Shiner to respond to her prevention of future deaths (PFD) report, written on July 9 and published on July 29.

She has asked the force to address the lack of effective communication between police officers dealing with Miles and raised concerns about the absence of a formal written handover between police officers regarding how Miles was behaving before he was arrested.

A Sussex Police spokesman said supporting people in mental health crisis is "complex" and the force "works closely with partners to ensure people in distress receive help from the most appropriate services".

Miles was remanded into custody and breathalysed at around midday. Police found he was three times the legal drink driving limit.

Miles’s family called police at 12.41pm on July 9 to find out where he was and what the custody process would be.

The family went to the Crawley Custody suite from lunchtime that Saturday to express their concerns, and during this time were called by police to put in requests for an appropriate adult, a mental health assessment and a solicitor with mental health background.

A picture of the A23 from July 10, 2022. It was closed for ten hours while police investigated Miles chose the duty solicitor to attend his interview.

Adult Social Services called police at 8.30pm to relay concerns from Miles’ family and recommended an appropriate adult for lack of mental capacity.

Miles was interviewed shortly after with the duty solicitor in attendance.

During the period from his arrest to release, Miles was assessed and managed well in terms of his physical health needs however in respect of his mental health needs there were “a number of shortcomings”, the jury found at the inquest which concluded on May 20 this year.

Miles was released from custody to the care of his family at 10.30pm that day and went home. His family took turns at keeping him safe until 5.00am when he agreed to be taken to A&E.

It was then that Miles took his father’s car, despite his parents trying to stop him and intentionally drove towards a lorry on the A23 where a crash caused his death.

In the PFD, Dr Henderson said there was a lack of relevant documentation of information about Miles’s background of longstanding extreme social anxiety.

Dr Henderson has sent her report to Jo Shiner, the Chief Constable Sussex Police, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and West Sussex County Council.

They must respond by September 3.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Sussex Police expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Miles Hurley following his tragic death.

"As a police service, we use all powers at our disposal to keep people safe from harm, recognising each decision must be proportionate and in line with relevant legislation.

"An inquest has rightly scrutinised the contact Miles had with agencies in the days leading up to his death. Sussex Police fully supported this process.

"We have received a copy of a Prevention of Future Deaths report issued to the National Police Chief’s Council and NHS England and are carefully considering the content to provide a response to assist HM Coroner and Miles’s family.

"Sussex Police is committed to continuous improvement and will implement any learning where it is identified."