Inquest into death of nurse killed when hit by a car adjourned for investigation

A nurse killed when she was struck by a car while walking with her family died from injuries to her head and spine, an inquest heard.

Dominyka Jonikaite, 25, was hit by a grey BMW 3 Series on London Road outside Crawley Leisure Park shortly after 8.30pm on 12 April.

She was walking with her 12-year-old sister and their cousin, a 19-year-old woman, who were both “seriously injured” and taken to hospital.

Despite efforts from emergency services, Ms Jonikaite died at the scene.

A 33-year-old man from Crawley who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving while unfit through drugs has been released on bail.

On Thursday, an inquest into Ms Jonikaite’s death was opened and then suspended as police investigations continue.

Area Coroner for West Sussex, Joseph Turner said her death was “plainly violent”, meaning he was required to open the inquest.

A post-mortem investigation, conducted by Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl, found the provisional cause of death was craniocervical trauma, the inquest heard.

The coroner then adjourned the inquest due to the ongoing police investigation.

Born in Lithuania, Ms Jonikaite had graduated from a degree in Biomedical Science from Bangor University and was working as a blood and transplant nurse.

A GoFundMe page which has raised over £16,000 was set up to help her family pay for the funeral and other financial burdens resulting from the crash.

‘This has left a devastating impact on the family who are struggling to come to terms with sudden loss and injuries of their baby girls,’ a family friend wrote on the appeal page.

The inquest is due to resume on January 26 next year.