A pregnant woman was killed by a’speeding’ driver after pulling over onto the hard shoulder to answer a phone call, according to a pre-inquest hearing.
Frankie Julia Hough, 38, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, was killed on the M66 motorway on Saturday, May 13, and died in hospital two days later.
As the formal inquest began today, it was revealed that Ms Hough had safely pulled over to answer his phone.
According to the ManchesterEveningNews, it was hit by a BMW driven by Adil Iqbal, 22, of Accrington, Lancashire.
He has been charged with one count of causing death by reckless driving and two counts of causing serious harm by reckless driving.
Ms Hough was in the car with her two young kids, Tommy, nine, and Rocky, two, and her four-year-old cousin Tobias at the time of the accident.
Rocky had minor injuries, while the other two children remain hospitalized.
Tracy Bunn, a police coroners’ officer, confirmed Ms Hough’s complete name, date of birth, and residence in Chadderton during a pre-inquest hearing conducted today (Wednesday) at Rochdale Coroners’ Court. She was a’reiki practitioner’.
The officer also said Ms Hough was unmarried and died on May 15 at Royal Preston Hospital. Her father, Frank Hough, formally recognized her to a police policeman at the hospital, according to the court.
“Frankie was traveling on the M66 heading towards Manchester,” coroners’ officer Bunn told the court in a short statement. Frankie shifted his weight on the hard shoulder. It’s assumed she was answering a phone call at the moment.
“A vehicle being driven at excessive speed lost control causing the vehicle to collide with the rear of Frankie’s car, causing it to rotate and come to rest in the main carriageway.”
Ms Hough was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital with life-threatening injuries and died on May 15, according to the officer. A post-mortem investigation revealed that she died as a result of head injuries.
The court heard that a male had been detained and charged, and that GMP was conducting a ‘ongoing’ investigation into the collision.
Assistant Coroner Matthew Cox delayed the inquest until the criminal procedures were completed.
Ms Hough has been hailed as a “fierce mother with a gold heart.”
