Investigation and inquest
On 12th December 2022, I commenced an investigation into the death of Charlotte Katie Mae Avis, born on the 20th April 1992 who was aged 30 years at the time of her death.
The investigation was suspended under paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 on the 16th April 2024 as I was notified an individual had been appeared before Weymouth Magistrates Court having been charged with offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 relating to her death.
Following the individual’s conviction and sentence, I held a hearing on the 1st May 2025 where I determined that there was insufficient evidence to resume the Inquest following the suspension.
Circumstances of the death
At approximately 16.49 hours on the 1st December 2022 Charlotte was driving her Silver Ford Focus along the A30 dual carriageway in an easterly direction towards Sherborne, Dorset at the crossroad junction with Marl Lane, when her vehicle was struck head on by another vehicle that was being driven in the opposite direction which had lost control and crossed over into the opposite carriageway. Charlotte sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene of the collision.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) Evidence has been provided that between 01.01.2014 and 24.03.2025 there have been 8 road traffic collisions at the site of Charlotte’s death which is referred to as Loscombe Crossroads, near Sherborne, Dorset. Those collisions have resulted in slight, serious and fatal injuries being sustained by those involved. There have been 4 fatalities from 3 of the collisions in a 4 year period. These fatalities occurred on 21.01.2020, 01.12.22 and 20.02.24.The last of these fatalities occurred after Charlotte’s death.
(2) Although the speed of the road was reduced by Dorset Council on 11th October 2024 from 70mph to 60mph, I have concerns around the layout of the road and the number of collisions in the area, and that there could be future deaths that occur.