THE family of a man killed when his car plunged down an embankment near Wrexham are ‘in limbo’ over what caused the crash.

Dean Pugh, 38, was travelling home to Southsea after visiting best friend Steve Hopwood in St Martin’s when he went off the road in mysterious circumstances.

His car was discovered by a council worker on Monday morning down an embankment off the A5 between the Halton and Gledrid roundabouts.

Speaking from their home on School Lane, Southsea, his partner Sarah Rathbone said: “I’m devastated.

“I just can’t believe it and I don’t want to believe it. It’s not real at the moment.

“We are all in limbo not knowing what happened.”

Police are still appealing for witnesses to come forward to determine when the silver Peugeot crashed.

Dean leaves behind 14-month-old daughter Holly, mum Sue and dad Ken and siblings Dawn, Lisa and Mark, as well as nephews.

“We had plenty of things we were going to do,” said Sarah, an administration worker at RLBS Ltd in Gresford.

“He is from Wrexham originally but has spent a lot of time travelling with his best mate Steve. They went to lots of places.

“Dean was a very outgoing person, was lively and was the life and soul of the party.
“He loved to live life to the max.”

For the last four years Dean had been working at Hawarden Sheeters as a machine operator. Operations director of Hawarden Sheeters, Paul Shepherd paid tribute to a “very well liked member of the operation”.

He said: “We all loved his energy, enthusiasm, commitment and candour.

“As operations director I always knew I could count on Dean at a minutes notice to help out, he had a pleasant personality and was cheerful to deal with.

“I cannot tell you how many times we would share a joke and laugh and I will miss him a lot.”

Speaking about the accident, Sarah said Dean knew the roads well from visiting Steve regularly.

North East Wales coroner John Hughes opened an inquest on Tuesday afternoon.

The initial cause of death from the post-mortem was given as severe blunt force head injuries.

Police were called to the scene at 11.57am on Monday and the road was closed between both roundabouts for several hours as they carried out investigations.

Police are still keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the silver Peugeot travelling along the road.

To get in touch with the Eastern Roads Policing Unit dial 101 if in Wales or 0845 6071002.

You can also text 66767 or email northwalespolice@north-wales.police.uk