A father learned his son had died three weeks after a car crash due to a police identification error. On December 13 last year, a Toyota Corolla crashed into a tree near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, killing 18-year-old Joshua Johnson and 17-year-old Summer Louise Scott. A third teenager, Trevor Wynn, 17, was seriously injured and placed under sedation. For weeks, Joshua’s family sat at his hospital bed, believing he was still alive, while Trevor’s family thought he had died until he woke up from sedation on January 4. The misidentification began with personal items found at the crash scene, including a phone case with Joshua Johnson’s driving licence and a second phone containing medical ID information and a bank card in Trevor Wynn’s name. These items were not physically connected to either of the teenagers, according to the coroner. A police officer used the information to trace Trevor Wynn’s mother, who provided a college ID card and a description of his build and clothing. The officer then compared these details to the unidentified body at Rotherham Mortuary and concluded it was Trevor Wynn. A second officer at the crash site was told the sedated teenager was Joshua Johnson and used a photograph from his driving licence to confirm the identity. However, the true identity of Joshua Johnson was later confirmed using dental records. The coroner ruled that Joshua Johnson was unlawfully killed and that Summer Louise Scott died as a result of a road traffic collision. The inquest heard that Summer Scott, who had a provisional driving licence but had not passed her test, was traveling at up to 95mph before losing control on a bend. Forensic collision investigators determined the safe speed for the bend was 68mph. A Snapchat video filmed by someone in a second car showed there was distance between the vehicles and that Summer Scott made the decision to drive at the speed she did. No defects were found on her car that contributed to the crash. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the misidentification error, with findings expected in the coming weeks. South Yorkshire Police acknowledged the significant distress caused by the error and stated they are reviewing processes and following new guidance from the College of Policing.