Christchurch road rage incident ends in death

The man was rushed to hospital but died 15 days later. Photo / File

A road rage incident which ended in a Christchurch pensioner falling from a car's bonnet, knocking his head, and later dying in hospital has not resulted in criminal charges, it's been revealed today.

David Paul Journee, 67, took exception to the driving of Julian Ellis on November 24 last year.

When Mr Ellis parked his BMW in Harper Ave, Mr Journee pulled up alongside and verbally abused him, an inquest into Mr Journee's death has heard.

He parked and approached Mr Ellis in what he felt was "an aggressive manner".

Mr Ellis decided to drive away, but Mr Journee has then ended up on his bonnet.

Coroner David Crerar, who released his findings into the death today, said it was unclear whether Mr Journee jumped into the bonnet or was hit by the BMW.

Mr Ellis drove forward "several metres at a slow speed" before applying his brakes.

Mr Journee then slid or fell backwards, hitting his head on the road.

Mr Ellis immediately parked his car and phoned for an ambulance.

He was rushed to hospital but died 15 days later on on December 9 last year from "bronchopneumonia following diffuse brain swelling which was caused by a head injury" received during the November 24 incident.

Mr Ellis gave a statement to police at the time but later declined to make a formal statement.

Canterbury road policing manager Inspector Al Stewart said that after taking legal opinion, police said there was insufficient evidence to charge Mr Ellis, citing inconsistent witness statements and a lack of forensic evidence from the scene.

Coroner Crerar stressed that his role was not to determine criminal, civil or disciplinary liability, but to establish the causes and circumstances of the death.

"The driving of Julian Ellis contributed to the circumstances of the death," he concluded.

"David Journee should not have approached Julian Ellis in an aggressive manner.

"Julian Ellis ought not to have attempted to avoid the confrontation in the manner he adopted."