THE parents of a teaching assistant who died after being hit by a speeding lorry on a pedestrian crossing are facing further heartache, after a decision on whether to prosecute the driver was delayed.

Jake Thompson, 27, died in hospital in May last year, five days after sustaining severe head injuries in the incident on the A37, in Bristol.

His parents, John and Janet Thompson, of Belmont, Durham City, expected the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to announce whether the driver, Paul Vowles, would face charges today (December 14).

However, a CPS spokesman said the Thompsons’ lawyers were still submitting material and Avon and Somerset Police was still investigating its officers’ actions; and all of this would have to be considered before its review could be concluded.

He added that the CPS had written to the family to explain this.

Mr Thompson said their lawyer had subsequently questioned this and not received a reply, so he had hoped for an announcement today.

The semi-retired nurse said: “It occupies your mind all the time. We ask questions and just don’t get answers.

“It shatters your faith in the justice system. Jake enjoyed life. His life meant a lot to him, to us, to his family and friends and to the students he worked with.

“For the justice system to dismiss it is a shock.”

Mrs Thompson, a retired nurse, said: “Things seem to be delayed time and time again. It’s horrendous.

“Nothing will ever give us what we want but I think it would help us to feel as though we’ve got some justice for Jake.”

An inquest heard that the lorry which hit Mr Thompson had recorded an average speed of 38mph in a 30mph zone shortly before the crash.

The CPS has twice declined to prosecute the driver.

The Thompsons expect to hear the outcome of a complaint they made about the original police investigation next week.

Superintendent Ian Wylie, head of Avon and Somerset Police’s professional standards department, said the force continued to have regular meetings with the family to provide updates on this investigation.