Death from moving car ‘not due to push’
A coroner has found that Christchurch woman Nicole Morris, died from injuries she sustained after jumping from a moving car, of her own accord in 2017, despite concerns from her family that she was pushed.
The report said that Morris had spent the day with her ex-partner Michael Barr, and friends Malcolm McDonald and Petra Parker driving around Christchurch and had reportedly taken drugs including Valium and Ritalin.
Morris, Barr and McDonald had gone into Liquor King on Papanui Rd where Morris stole two bottles of spirits. An argument broke out between Morris and McDonald.
McDonald told Coroner Sue Johnson Morris “said something like, ‘I’ll just go then’” and opened the door of the moving car next to the centre island between Manchester and Bishop St.
“Nicole turned around in her seat, placed both of her feet on the sill and launched herself out of the car,” McDonald recalled. Morris fell backwards as soon as her feet touched the ground.
The car slowed down as she had opened the door and was reported to be moving between 35 and 40kph.
A motorist told the court “a lady flew out onto the road”. “[I]t definitely looked like she jumped and wasn’t pushed. It almost looked like she tried to run as she jumped out but when her feet hit the ground she just started tumbling until she eventually stopped in the middle of the middle lane.”
The report said another motorist also watched as a female “grabbed hold of the top of the open door and side of the car and it looked like she jumped out. She landed both feet first and then with the speed, her feet went from underneath her and she hit her head on the ground.”
Morris died three weeks later in Christchurch Hospital from a head injury from the jump.
A police investigation began into whether foul play was involved.
Morris’ parents, Trudi and Clive, and a former partner believed she was pushed.
Johnson ruled that based on police evidence and statements from witnesses Morris jumped.