Learner driver who killed mother and herself didn't see truck

Stephanie died three weeks after the accident. Photo/File

A young learner driver, who died three weeks after turning into the path of a truck, must not have seen the vehicle coming, a coroner ruled.

The deaths of Stephanie and her mother Linda Budding were subject to an inquest, with the findings released today.

In his report, Coroner Tim Scott states on January 9 this year at approximately 7.30pm, the pair were travelling along Oroua Rd near Palmerston North.

Steph, 18, was driving the family's white Ford Laser and Linda, 53, was in the passenger seat.

They left the Kyrewood Equestrian Centre and headed towards Rangitikei Line.

Terrence Smith, who was driving a small truck, approached the same intersection as he drove from the city.

He told Coroner Scott he saw the Laser "creep slowly" out of the intersection and turn left towards Sanson.

He began slowing down and attempted to pass the car to the right. However as he did so, the Laser turned in front of the truck.

The truck collided with the driver's side of the car. Linda died at the scene from multiple injuries and Steph died three weeks later in hospital from traumatic brain injuries.

Coroner Tim Scott. Photo/File

The only other eyewitness, Graham Hercock, told the inquest he saw the two vehicles approximately 150-200m away but "only for a short time".

He was traveling along Rangitikei Line towards Sanson and said when he saw the vehicles, the car was across both lanes – in the path of the truck.

Coroner Tim Scott stated in his report Steph had been driving for about two years. It was usual for her to drive the family car alongside her mother, particularly as this was a manual vehicle.

In determining why Steph made a decision to turn in front of the truck, Scott considered three options; either she did not see it, she thought she had enough time to make it across the road or, the truck had its left indicator on.

Smith said he had not used his left indicator and had accidentally turned this on after the crash.

Scott checked CCTV footage of the truck showing no indicators or headlights in use. He held the inquest to test evidence relating to the indicator as this may have explained Steph's actions.

But he determined this was not the case.

"That leaves only one possible explanation and that is that she simply did not see the truck.

"What happened was the result of simple driving error," Scott concluded.

"On any other day and in any other place such an error would have had no consequences.

"Sadly, on that day and at that place the consequences were horrendous."

The coroner concluded his report by saying he couldn't imagine a worse place for a family to find themselves in.

"The grief and tragedy must be overwhelming. I want to record that here."

The Give Way sign at the intersection was changed to a Stop sign as a result of the accident.