Charlotte Marie SAUNDERS · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 19 January 2026 I commenced an investigation into the death of Charlotte Marie SAUNDERS aged 52. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 03 June 2026. The conclusion of the inquest was 'Road Traffic Collision'

On the afternoon of 27 August 2024, Charlotte Marie Saunders was struck by a tipper lorry whilst attempting to cross Christchurch Way in Stone, Staffordshire. She sustained multiple injuries including a severe traumatic brain injury which resulted in prolonged disorder of consciousness, requiring 24-hour care for all her needs. Mrs Saunders’ condition deteriorated on 25 December 2025 and she died in a specialist neurological care centre on 13 January 2026.

The location of the road traffic collision involves a one-way carriageway, consisting of two lanes of traffic. This is a busy section of road that serves as a bypass around Stone town centre. At the section in question, there is a large supermarket on the outer part of the ring road and the main shopping area of Stone is located within the inner part of the ring road.

There is a purpose-built pedestrian walkway leading from the supermarket car park to a bus stop, with metal pedestrian guardrails at the edge of the road to the north of the walkway preventing pedestrians from crossing the carriageway. There is no similar fencing to the south.

On the inner side of that section of the ring road, there is an alleyway that leads directly into the town centre. There are metal pedestrian guardrails at the edge of the carriageway on that side also, running north from opposite the bus stop. Again, however, there is no similar fencing running to the south.

There is a pedestrian crossing to either side of the collision location – one to the north and one to the south - each of which is traffic light controlled and each being said to be at a distance “within less than 100m” of Mrs Saunders’ crossing point.

Police inquiries revealed that Mrs Saunders had walked from the car park of Morrisons and had been attempting to cross the furthest lane carriageway, heading towards the town centre, at the time that she was struck. The Police Report stated that this route “is often used by pedestrians to cross over in to the town, rather than walking to one of the crossings”. A police officer who gave evidence also described having visited the site for the purposes of his investigation and having observed at least ten pedestrians crossing at the same location during a period of no more than thirty minutes.

I have concern that there is a risk of future deaths as a result of the current layout of this location, given the following:

1. The ring road is a busy road with heavy, consistent traffic flow, this being a bypass around the town centre
2. There is a busy supermarket with a large car park on one side of the ring road and the town centre on the other
3. There is a purpose-built pedestrian walkway leading to the pavement on the outer side of the carriageway and an alleyway leading directly into the town centre on the other side
4. There are no pedestrian guardrails either side of the carriageway at what appears to be a primary location used by people for their speed and convenience, to avoid the need to walk further to use the pedestrian crossings