+- FocusCanada Forums (//www.focuscanada.net/forum)
+-- Forum: Canadian Focus Community (//www.focuscanada.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: Off Topic (//www.focuscanada.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=16)
+--- Thread: Woman Burnt To Death In Her Own Car (/showthread.php?tid=2616)
Woman Burnt To Death In Her Own Car - ZX3_2NV - 09-27-2008
It was the ultimate expression of road rage. A furious woman driver died after ramming another vehicle and spinning her wheels so fast that her own car burst into flames.
Serena Sutton-Smith, 54, burnt to death after refusing to get out of her Vauxhall Nova as she sat with her foot flat on the accelerator.
She spun the wheels so fast that her tyres disintegrated and the metal rims sent a shower of sparks into the engine, igniting the brake fluid and setting the car on fire.
Appalled onlookers urged her to get out of the car as the flames licked around her but she told them to ââ¬ÅF*** offââ¬Â, an inquest in Gloucester was told.
The inquest heard that Paula Small was driving her Fiat Punto when Ms Sutton-Smith emerged from a side road without stopping, causing her to swerve to avoid a collision. Mrs Small was forced on the grass verge and she flashed her lights as Ms Sutton-Smith passed her.
Ms Sutton-Smith then pulled over and Mrs Small stopped a short way in front of her. She was getting out when the Vauxhall Nova rammed her car.
Mrs Small said: ââ¬ÅI opened my door and put my foot out but as I was getting out there was a bang and I hit my head on the door frame. I was frozen with terror.ââ¬Â As neighbours came to investigate they saw Ms Sutton-Smith sitting with a furious expression, revving her engine and spinning her wheels.
Nicholas Willmore told the inquest that he was in his workshop at Cottage Farm Antiques when his mother alerted him to what was happening outside. As he walked across the road to the two cars he saw smoke coming from the engine of the Nova.
He said: ââ¬ÅThere was a deafening sound of an engine running as though someone had a foot stuck on the accelerator.
ââ¬ÅThe carââ¬â¢s front wheels were spinning and there was loads of revving. I could see a biggish person at the wheel and there was movement in the car. Flames were coming from underneath the car and I thought the person might be trapped inside although I couldnââ¬â¢t hear any shouting.
ââ¬ÅI opened the driverââ¬â¢s door wide. It opened easily. The person looked at me, it was a big built woman. I said ââ¬â¢Youââ¬â¢ve got to get out of the car. Itââ¬â¢s going to burst into flamesââ¬â¢.
The person replied ââ¬â¢F*** off, just f*** offââ¬â¢ and she raised her right fist towards me in a threatening manner before slamming the door shut.
ââ¬ÅI was a bit bewildered and moved 3-4 yards back. I could see her gesturing towards me. She seemed to be in quite a rage. Both fists were raised and being shaken and the person was looking right at me.
ââ¬ÅThis was definitely done in a manner to tell me to stay away from her car.ââ¬Â Mr Willmore grabbed a fire extinguisher from his workshop but it failed to put out the flames. Another motorist also tried to extinguish the flames.
Mr Willmore added: ââ¬ÅThe heat was getting more and more intense and the flames were growing. I could no longer see inside. There was nothing that could be done to help the person inside.
Fire officer Andrew Clayton said: ââ¬ÅThe circumstances indicate that this was a deliberate act. She remained in the vehicle after ramming a car and then sat with the front wheels spinning until fire developed.
ââ¬ÅThe front nearside passenger wheel gouged into the road surface by 50mm and the tyre was totally destroyed by the friction. This would have produced sparks igniting fluid, most probably brake fluid.ââ¬Â The inquest heard that Ms Sutton-Smith, who had previously worked behind the bar at a working menââ¬â¢s club in Ashton sub Edge, had a history of erratic behaviour and suffered from bipolar disorder.
Alan Crickmore, the Gloucestershire coroner, said that her mental condition meant that she failed to appreciate the danger she was in.
He said ââ¬ÅAt no time, prior to becoming incapicitated, was Serena trapped in her vehicle. She was certainly able to get out of it when Mr Willmore opened the door and invited her to do so.
ââ¬ÅI am driven to the conclusion that if at any time she had wanted to do so before becoming incapacitated she could have got out of the car and would not have died as a result of the fire.
ââ¬ÅI am satisfied the fire was started because of her deliberate actions. But I am far from satisfied that at that point in time it was her clear intention that death would ensue.
ââ¬ÅI think it is more likely than not that she failed to understand the peril she was in and the consequences of her actions.ââ¬Â He recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Original Link
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/a...offset=0&page=1
Woman Burnt To Death In Her Own Car - darkpuppet - 09-27-2008
wow... just wow...
I would have dragged her out kicking and screaming if it were only her fists I should be worried about...
kind of disturbing that people made some effort, but not more to save her.
granted, she was likely on her way out anyways, but still... wow..
Woman Burnt To Death In Her Own Car - Flofocus - 09-27-2008
wow...not surprised though after hearing she had bi-polar disorder. Its a messed up condition, I know - my old roomate was diagnosed with it after coming out of the hospital...and most of you know that story :ph34r:
Woman Burnt To Death In Her Own Car - ZX3_2NV - 09-30-2008
and for the ones that don't will you like to share?
Woman Burnt To Death In Her Own Car - Flofocus - 10-01-2008
ZX3_2NV,Sep 29 2008, 01:45 PM Wrote:and for the ones that don't will you like to share?
[right][snapback]273525[/snapback][/right]
search man (handicapp section), its not something I like bringing up.
Woman Burnt To Death In Her Own Car - ZX3_2NV - 10-01-2008
understandable