Men killed in Doncaster horror road crash are named as inquest opens
The Romanian nationals were walking on a pavement when they were hit by a car
The two men who died when a car ploughed into a group of pedestrians on one of Doncaster’s busiest roads were Romanian nationals, with the pair named as inquests into their death were opened.
Aurelian Porfire, 49, and Dumitru Gheorghe Blidariu, 56, both died when a black Mitsubishi L200 smashed into a group of pedestrians on White Rose Way on September 13.
An inquest into the tragedy opened yesterday (Thursday) at Doncaster Coroner’s Court.
The vehicle hit a group of people on the pavement, before crashing into two other vehicles, with four people seriously injured in the incident which closed the road for most of the day.
The 30-year-old Mitsubishi driver was arrested on suspicion of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit.
He has since been released on bail.
Coroner Louise Slater was told that the two men killed were Romanian nationals whose families did not live in the UK and had been informed of their deaths by the Romanian embassy and police.
The court heard Porfire had been carrying his ID card and passport in a trouser pocket, while Blidariu's driving licence was found in a bag at the scene.
The air ambulance landed at the scene and the road was closed off for twelve hours as emergency services dealt with the tragedy.
Earlier this month, a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for any witnesses, and anyone who may have dashcam footage, following a fatal road traffic collision in Doncaster.
“Around 11am on Sunday 13 September, we were called to reports of a multiple vehicle collision on White Rose Way, between Carriage Drive and Middle Bank Roundabout.
“It is reported that a black Mitsubishi L200 was travelling down the carriageway, before it collided with a group of four pedestrians.
“It is further reported that the Mitsubishi then collided with a black Audi and a silver BMW which were travelling on the opposite of the carriageway.
“Our officers alongside the ambulance and air ambulance services attended.
“Despite best efforts of medical professionals, two pedestrians were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“Four other people were taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident number 345 of 13 September 2026.