Mother Killed in A66 Crash While Checking Phone, Inquest Hears
A young mother was killed instantly after driving into the path of a heavy goods vehicle while checking her mobile phone, a coroner's inquest has concluded. The tragic incident occurred on the morning of August 26 as Chloe Lightfoot was traveling home to Spennymoor in Durham.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The 33-year-old sales administrator and barmaid had just finished a late shift at Britain's highest pub, the Tan Hill Inn, where she had slept overnight. Driving her self-converted Citroen Berlingo campervan, she pulled out at the junction with Rutherford Lane onto the A66 just after 8am.
An inquest at Crook Coroners' Court heard that Ms Lightfoot was over the legal drink-drive limit and had traces of cocaine in her system at the time of the collision. Crucially, phone records revealed she had unlocked her device at the exact moment of the crash.
Assistant Coroner Leslie Hamilton concluded that this phone use caused her to fail to spot the oncoming lorry, leading directly to the fatal impact.
Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath
The HGV driver, Jonathan Robinson, stated in his testimony that the collision happened in an instant. 'I sat in shock in my vehicle,' he recalled. 'I took out my phone to call emergency services, once connected I realised I had not been to check on the occupant of the van, so I hung up got out of my vehicle and made my way across.'
Mr Robinson described finding Ms Lightfoot in the driver's seat and screaming for help, telling approaching members of the public 'I think she's dead.' The lorry had struck her van, shunting it into the road and onto a grass verge, with Ms Lightfoot suffering fatal head and chest injuries.
Another HGV driver at the scene, Mark Wilson, confirmed there was nothing Mr Robinson could have done to prevent the collision given the circumstances.
Family Tributes and Community Support
Ms Lightfoot leaves behind her eight-year-old son, Jax. Her mother, Karen Hodgson, paid emotional tribute to her daughter, describing her as spontaneous and always on the go. 'Chloe loved life, she loved going to the Lake District,' she said. 'She was a devoted mam but obviously struggled with finances and had to do two jobs, but she would do anything for her family.'
The local community rallied in support, with a GoFundMe page set up by Ms Lightfoot's best friend Simone Goodchild raising over £26,000 for Jax's future. The Tan Hill Inn doubled the earnings to help reach this significant amount.
Ms Hodgson expressed gratitude for this support while issuing a stark warning: 'If one person might read this and think twice before using their phone or driving after doing drink or drugs the night before then I think that is an important message.'
Remembering Chloe Lightfoot
Friends and family remembered Ms Lightfoot as a vibrant personality who brought energy to every room. Simone Goodchild described her as 'my best friend, she lit up every room she walked in, not just because of how beautiful she was but because her personality was so bubbly and witty.'
Ms Lightfoot had converted her van into a campervan and loved taking her son on adventures, frequently visiting the Lake District and making early morning trips to see sunrises and beaches. The donated funds are now secured in a savings account for Jax's future.
Assistant Coroner Hamilton's formal conclusion recorded that Ms Lightfoot's death was caused by a road traffic collision, contributed to by cocaine, alcohol, and phone use. He noted that she had braked upon realizing the HGV was approaching but was too late to avoid the collision due to her impaired state.
