Cody Stock

On 08 December 2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Cody Lee Keith STOCK aged 22. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 13 July 2026. The conclusion of the inquest was that: Cody Lee Keith Stock died on 5 December 2025 as a result of chest injuries sustained in a road traffic collision on the westbound carriageway of the A45 near Little Irchester, Northamptonshire. During heavy rain and in the presence of standing water, the vehicle hydroplaned, leaving the carriageway and collided with a tree.

Cody Lee Keith Stock died 5 December 2025 as a result of chest injuries sustained in a road traffic collision on the westbound carriageway of the A45 near Little Irchester, Northamptonshire. During heavy rain and in the presence of standing water, the vehicle hydroplaned, leaving the carriageway and collided with a tree.

The medical the cause of death was: 1a Chest injuries.

This exact location of the collision was the section of the A45 that runs east to west between Rushden and Little Irchester. The collision occurred at the section bordered by Prologis Industrial Park to the north and Irchester Country Park to the south.

The Police Collision Investigation Report states:- a)       There were no obvious defects in the construction of the road but there was a considerable amount of standing water. This was mostly in lane two but appeared to flow across lane one to a drain on the nearside. Upon initial attendance the drain appeared flooded and the water still. Whilst processing the scene, I observed that the water level at the same drain had receded, and I could hear it draining away slowly. b)       Further collisions that have since taken place in the same location. I.        incidents 274 + 285 of 01/02/26 report that a BMW hydroplaned, lost control and came to rest on the nearside verge in foliage. The what three words location given for this was “DISCOUNT.BESOTTED.PURSES”. II.       incident 123 of 28/02/26 was another collision where a vehicle hydroplaned. The what three words location given for this was “AMUSE.STABILITY.MODIFIES.” c)       The centralised location of these collisions suggests that there may be ongoing issues with drainage on this section of the road.

In response to question raised by the Police, National Highways have stated:- “National Highways undertake regular maintenance of drainage in line with frequencies in an annual Maintenance Requirement Plan. There are no planned renewals as there were no recorded flood events at this location. However following this incident, we have flagged a need for a topographic and drainage survey and there may be a need for a renewal following the surveys. National Highways has arranged for both Drainage Survey and Topographic Survey to be undertaken to understand how the location will drain during periods of heavy rainfall. National Highways has also arranged for minor works for overburden removal and site inspection with a metal detector to locate potential buried assets. The Drainage and Topographic surveys are programmed for mid-summer 2026 once the MCI works have been completed, programmed for April 2026”.

In my opinion unless action is taken to address the above concerns then there is a significant risk of future deaths and I believe each of you have the power to take such action.