By Conor Gogarty
Copyright walesonline
A woman took her own life by driving into a lorry. Pauline Reeves, 69, had been struggling to come to terms with a dementia diagnosis before the three-vehicle crash, Pontypridd Coroners’ Court heard. Ms Reeves suffered fatal traumatic injuries when she drove her car into a heavy goods vehicle on April 23 last year on the A489 Newtown bypass in Powys . Another car was also hit in the collision. Coroner Rachel Knight said: “Mrs Reeves suffered long-term with mental health issues and had taken a deliberate overdose around four months earlier. “She was struggling to come to terms with a dementia diagnosis despite input from professionals and medication on prescription.” Recording a conclusion of suicide Ms Knight said: “It is more likely than not that she deliberately drove into the path of an HGV with the intention to end her life.” The inquest heard the Shropshire-born pensioner was a retired medical secretary who lived in the village of Kerry near Newtown. For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.
