THE car crash that killed a teenage driver was probably caused by slush on the road.

Herefordshire Coroner Mark Bricknell told an inquest into the death of Weston-under- Penyard 18-year-old Jade Smith that she died from multiple head injuries after her Vauxhall Corsa crashed on the A40 at Hildersley.

The hearing at Hereford Town Hall on Monday, December 3, heard that the sports loving teenager was driving towards Ross-on-Wye around 7.30am on Monday, March 19, when she lost control on slush formed from water running off from a field ditch. She veered across the road and collided side-on with a Vauxhall Vivaro driven by Timothy Price.

A passing nurse gave CPR at the scene, and the former John Kyrle pupil was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where she died shortly after 1pm.

Accident investigator PC Timothy Viner said both cars were travelling below the speed limit, but the design of Jade’s seat belt did not protect her from a sideways impact.

A statement from Balfour Beatty said the road had been gritted that morning, and they had not received any previous reports of water run off there.

At the time of her death, her family paid tribute to their “beautiful beloved daughter”.

They said: “Jade recently celebrated her 18th birthday with close family and boyfriend Joe.

“Jade was a former pupil at Weston-under-Penyard school.

“At the age of nine she was encouraged to play cricket for which she was picked out by her coach to play for the Hereford county cricket team, and she continued her love of sports at John Kyrle High School, playing for the hockey and netball teams.  

“In November 2017 Jade began working as a business administrator at GB Electrical & Building Services in Hereford where she wanted to achieve her ATT in accountancy. This was due to a love of numeracy from an early age. Jade enjoyed her job and often told her family how much she loved working.

“Jade loved make up and often spent hours perfecting it. Jade was willing to help anyone and helped her cousin with the finer details on celebration cakes.

“The family had a tradition of hay baling. This had been done by many generations of the family and Jade enjoyed the tradition of helping out with this annually.

“Jade will always be greatly missed and remembered for her cheeky laugh and infectious smile.”

John Kyrle High School also remembered a “kind and lovely” student.