Passenger, 90, died after car veered across road and hit van

AN ELDERLY woman died after the car in which she was a front seat passenger drifted across the road and crashed into a transit van, an inquest heard.

Mair Roberts, 90, of Mynytho, near Abersoch, suffered multiple injuries in the incident on the A499 at Y Ffôr, near Pwllheli in July 2016.

Mrs Roberts was in a VW Polo car being driven by her niece, Heulwen Mai Jones of Nefyn, and was returning from a hospital appointment at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.

The court heard Mrs Roberts would have died almost instantly.

Mrs Jones was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving but was cleared at Caernarfon Crown Court in January after medical experts said she may have suffered an epileptic fit.

At the inquest at Caernarfon, Mrs Jones said she could remember driv- ing along the A499 into Y Ffôr but had no further recollection until after the collision.

Richard Davies, forensic collision investigator, said Mrs Jones, a care support worker, had worked a night shift the evening before the accident and had not gone to bed after work.

He estimated the speed of the Polo at impact was not less than 25mph.

Mr Davies said the rear seat passenger Deilwen Roberts – Mrs Roberts’ daughter – was not wearing a seat belt and fell asleep before the smash.

During the accident she was thrown forward and struck the back of the passenger seat.

“She may not have contributed to the cause of the collision but may have contributed to the injuries suffered by her mother,” the police officer added.

Witnesses said they saw the Polo driving at a speed below 30mph into the village and begin to veer across the road.

Elaine McAllister, who was driving behind the Polo, said she saw it veer to the right and first straddle the white lines and then travel into the opposite side of the road.

Philp Jones, vehicle examiner, said he found no defects in either vehicle.

North Wales senior coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones recorded a verdict of accidental death.