When Raeann Cook got behind the wheel to drive her kids to school she knew she should not be driving.
The 31-year-old had recently suffered an epileptic seizure - and knew from past experience that reporting the medical event to her doctor would result in the revocation of her licence.
So, she kept the seizure quiet and continued to live her life as normal.
On November 8, 2021 she suffered another seizure which caused the crash in Riverton, Southland that ended her life.
Associate Coroner Stephen Burdes has today released his findings into Cook’s death - along with a public safety warning to others who suffer seizures.
“NZTA guidance is clear. Drivers who have a seizure should stop driving and consult their healthcare practitioner,” he said.
“The reason for doing so is... stated by NZTA: ‘an epileptic seizure while driving puts the driver and other road users at risk’.
“Ms Cook did not stop driving and did not consult her health practitioner.
“She placed herself, her passengers and other road users at risk by continuing to drive in the knowledge that she was at risk of further seizures.”
The crash happened when Cook was driving her 13-year-old nephew to school. Her preschool children were also in the car.
“She had what her nephew described as a seizure. He was familiar with the signs of a seizure as he had seen Ms Cook have a similar event at home about one or two months earlier.
“He described her shaking and then ‘stiffening up’ and ‘frothing at the mouth a little bit’.
“Ms Cook did not respond to his shouts, and he thought she must have pressed down on the accelerator because the car suddenly and dramatically increased its speed.
“The car crossed the centre line, and he took hold of the steering wheel to regain control... trying to control the car as it sped up.
“He had never driven before and was manoeuvring the car from the front passenger seat to avoid hitting other vehicles.”
The teen said the car was travelling at about 80-90km/h as it came up behind a school bus.
He tried to overtake the bus but clipped its corner and then came face-to-face with an oncoming Toyota Landcruiser.
“[The] nephew attempted to fit between the Landcruiser and the bus, but the vehicles collided,” said Associate Coroner Burdes.
Cook died at the scene.
Her passengers and the Landcruiser driver were seriously injured.
Police investigated the crash, collecting CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses.
Investigators concluded that the evidence was consistent with Cook having a seizure while driving her car which led to her vehicle “rapidly accelerating to a significant speed” and crashing into the Landcruiser.
Cook had a personal and family history of epileptic seizures.
After a seizure in July 2016, her GP advised her not to drive. Her medical records noted that she ‘became upset’ at this
NZTA revoked Cook’s driver’s licence for medical reasons effective from November 17, 2016.
She continued driving though and was stopped by police in early 2017.
Her licence was reinstated in November 2017 after her GP confirmed she had been “seizure-free” for a year.
Associate Coroner Burdes said that Cook’s medical records do not mention epilepsy, seizures, or any relevant medication after her final prescription in November 2017.
There was also no mention of why she stopped taking her medication.
During the investigation into the crash, Cook’s partner confirmed she’d had seizures ‘maybe had a seizure every six months’ including in the lead up to the fatal crash.
NZTA states:
“Driving should cease if an individual is having seizures or had a seizure in the last 12 months. A period of 12 months free from seizures is normally required before an individual is allowed to drive again or is allowed to obtain a driver’s licence.”
Associate Coroner Burdesaccpeted Cook had numerous seizures that were not reported to her doctor.
There was no evidence to explain that though.
“I find it more probable than not that Ms Cook did not report the continued seizures at least in part so she could continue to drive.
“Ms Cook was aware from the revocation... that reporting a seizure to her doctor meant a likely loss of her driver’s licence... [she] was also stopped by police... driving while her licence was revoked and was thereby aware of the potential legal consequences of driving while revoked.”
Associate Coroner Burdes urged anyone “who drives and who has a seizure” to follow NZTA guidance.
“Stop driving and consult your healthcare provider,” he said.
“Although the standdown from driving is likely to last 12 months, this inconvenience is vastly outweighed by the risks associated with continuing to drive.
“If those who or may experience seizures choose to stop driving and to consult a health practitioner, the chances of further deaths in similar circumstances to Ms Cook’s death will be reduced.”
Anna Leask is a Christchurch-based reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 18 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz
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