Pareora SH1 fatal: Coroner says NZTA failed to fix slippery lane

A motorist lost her life on a notorious stretch of highway that authorities knew was dangerous but had not done enough to make safe.

Kellyanne Cindal Pattinson was driving south on State Highway 1 in early 2018 when tragedy struck.

A northbound food delivery truck veered across three lanes and hit her car.

The 31-year-old had no opportunity to brake or swerve and died at the scene.

In findings released today, Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame found the NZ Transport Agency knew the stretch of road near Pareora in South Canterbury was hazardous and had not taken adequate steps to address documented concerns.

Coroner Cunninghame found the road was in poor condition and was a contributory factor in Pattinson’s death.

On January 17, 2018, Pattinson, described in the findings as social, bubbly, happy and outgoing, was driving at an undetermined speed.