Matthew Orange died in car crash with drug driver on wrong side of road

Father-of-two Matthew Orange, 46, was travelling along Northwich Road in Whitley followed in a separate car by his son Samuel, who was also involved in the three-car collision.

Samuel suffered minor injuries in the horror crash.

Metin Mustafov, the 24-year-old driver of the other vehicle which ended up on its roof, also died from multiple injuries after being rushed to Warrington Hospital.

An inquest into their deaths was concluded this afternoon, Thursday, at Warrington Coroners’ Court, and heard that the illegal drugs in Mustafov was ‘likely to have impaired his driving ability, concentration and judgement’.

The incident occurred at approximately 12.31am on Tuesday, March 17, last year on the A559 in Whitley, between Birch Tree Lane and Lake Lane.

Both Matthew and Samuel, from Fearnhead in Warrington, were driving in the Northwich-bound lane, while Mustafov was travelling in the same lane heading the opposite direction towards the M56.

The head-on crash was followed by Samuel, aged 17 at the time, unavoidably colliding with the rear of his father’s grey BMW 335.

Both Matthew, who was familiar with the route through commuting to work as the popular owner of Codfather chip shop in Northwich, and Samuel were wearing their seatbelt – Mustafov was not.

Matthew's The Codfather was crowned best chippy by Northwich Guardian readers in 2016

A report from PC Robin Fisher, based on an interview with Samuel and read out in court, explained how the road that night was quiet and dry.

Following the crash, Samuel checked himself over, exited his black Vauxhall Corsa and went to his dad’s car, speaking to him before dialling 999.

Realising a black Seat Altea was also involved, he used his first aid training to help the other driver, who was lying on the road a distance away from his vehicle, checking on them both before help arrived.

In her statement, Matthew’s wife Claire explained how the pair were travelling in separate cars to drop off Samuel’s car at a garage in Wincham, ready to have the heating system repaired.

It was a ‘spare of the moment’ decision of Matthew’s, as it was more convenient than heading down in the morning.

Mustafov, who is originally from Bulgaria but moved to Middlewich in 2010, was driving less than a week after being arrested in Kent for drink driving.

In tribute, his cousin Oktay Mehmedov said: “He was loved by all who knew him, and he will be sadly missed. He has left a massive hole in our lives.”

Metin Mustafov

The inquest heard how toxicologist Catherine Walling found traces of methamphetamine and amphetamine in the urine of Mustafov, with methamphetamine also present in his blood.

She said that the illegal drugs are used recreationally for a stimulant purpose, adding that they have the ‘potential to impair’ driving ability.

The same doctor found no alcohol, medication or illicit drugs in blood or urine samples taken from Matthew.

Pathologist Mohammed Al-Jafari found the cause of death of both men to be multiple injuries, with Matthew sustaining fractured arms, a fractured sternum and rib case and a ruptured liver.

Alan Moore, senior coroner for Cheshire, said: “It is not known why Metin Mustafov crossed to the opposite carriageway and collided with Matthew Orange, however I find the detected presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine likely impaired his driving ability and would have impacted his concentration and judgement.”

He concluded that both men died as a result of a road traffic collision, with their causes of death being multiple injuries.

The crash occurred on Northwich Road in Whitley (Image: Google Maps)

To the family members present, Mr Moore said: “I am sorry to have met you in such tragic circumstances. I offer my condolences for your loss.”

Directly to Samuel, he added: “You were an absolute star for what you did for your dad and Mr Mustafov. I am very proud of you and I am sure your family are too.”

In a statement days after his death, Matthew’s family said: “On Tuesday, March 17, we lost the most important person in our life.

“Matthew was a loving husband and father to his two boys.

“To those who knew Matthew, you will know how much of a wonderful and caring person he was.

“He thought the world of all of his family and would do anything for anyone, he did lots of charity work and fundraising.

“His pride and joy was his beloved chip shop in Northwich – in fact he was Mr Codfather, he couldn’t walk down the street in Northwich without someone stopping to say hello or for a chat.

“In the 12 years that the shop has been open, every year he would continuously improve and strive to become the best chip shop in the UK – recently winning The National Fish & Chip Awards for 2020 – all because of he cared so much.”