A teenager who died after his car collided with a parked articulated lorry on the A34 was remembered as a thoughtful and compassionate individual at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court.

Vladimir Pavuks, who was born in Latvia and had made his home in Coventry in the West Midlands, was killed in a road traffic incident on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The 19-year-old was travelling north along the A34 when his blue Ford Fiesta struck a stationary goods vehicle in the section between Islip and Weston-On-the-Green.

An inquest presided over by Darren Salster at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, April 21, established that his death resulted from severe physical injuries that were self-inflicted.

Mr Pavuks moved to the United Kingdom in 2011 together with his two brothers and sisters; his mother Alla and father Pjotr, who is employed in the software sector, both attended the hearing.

His mother, Alla Pavuka, depicted him as a quiet young man with a deep enthusiasm for computer games.

She described him as having a shy nature but being willing to engage with people. He would take part in discussions for a while and come to his parents when he needed advice. She acknowledged that his passing had created a huge void in their family, yet they would hold onto the recollection of the caring and considerate person he had been.

Until the summer of 2023, he had been in a relationship with Isabel Cashion, who relocated to South Wales with her family in June 2024. He then began studying accountancy and finance at the University of Glasgow.

She indicated that his psychological wellbeing had remained stable throughout his secondary school years, yet he became increasingly unhappy and confided in her that he was expressing deep unhappiness about his life in Glasgow and intended to take his own life by driving into a lorry because it would not harm anyone else.

She sought advice from her mother, who is a staff member at The Samaritans, before reaching out to his mother about his thoughts of self-harm.

As a result, he went back to Coventry in December before obtaining permanent employment as an Ocado delivery driver, during which time he never missed a single shift.

The internet-based retailer raised no concerns about his work performance, conduct, or complaints, either before or on that particular day, noting he had provided nine months of excellent service.

On the day he died, he began his deliveries at approximately 12.30pm, sending his mother a text after completing his shift before midnight on Saturday, October 25.

At about 2.45am, his mother received a two-hour telephone conversation with him during which he was in a distressed state and asked what significance tomorrow held.

During this time, automatic number plate recognition cameras documented him driving northbound and southbound 13 times along the same stretch of the A34, which the coroner indicated suggested a level of intention or planning.

Before his death at approximately 5am, witness Syed Aashir described seeing his vehicle come up from behind and flash its lights before passing him at high speed. He then observed the car drift from the right lane to the left before striking the heavy goods vehicle.

The truck driver reported being suddenly woken by a loud bang that knocked him off his bed, where he had been sleeping, causing him to sustain cuts.

Madeline Butler, the road traffic collision specialist, concluded there were no signs of careless driving or loss of control of the vehicle prior to the collision. She additionally noted that there were no defects with the automobile, environment, or road surface.

Dr Fryer indicated that toxicology results showed no presence of alcohol or drugs.

The Samaritans provides free support around the clock, accessible 365 days per year, on 116 123, or via email at jo@samaritans.org.