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Dominique Worrall opened door and left moving car on the M20 inquest hears

A mum-of-two died after opening the door of the car she was travelling in and falling into the path of oncoming traffic on the M20, an inquest has heard.

Dominique Worrall, 32, was the passenger in a Nissan Qashqai being driven by partner Terry Dunne before she fell from the car near junction 9 for Ashford.

It is thought the pair had been rowing in the lead up to her fall.

Miss Worrall previously lived in Ashford before moving to Camber
Miss Worrall previously lived in Ashford before moving to Camber

Miss Worrall was hit by several vehicles on February 20 last year and the motorway was shut for about 20 hours while police investigated.

Dashcam footage from several close by vehicles that day were examined for evidence.

Her inquest, held at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone today, found she died of multiple injuries.

But it was heard that driver Mr Dunne did not stop at the time, and instead handed himself into police the next day.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder, but all charges relating to this have since been dropped after police found no third parties were involved in Miss Worrall's death.

Dominique Worrall died in February 2018
Dominique Worrall died in February 2018

But Miss Worrall's mum Loretta Petrucci says Mr Dunne's actions have plagued her ever since.

Speaking after the inquest, she said: "I have so many unanswered questions. I can't mourn my daughter because nothing makes sense to me.

"Why didn't he stop? That was my daughter and he was supposed to love her.

"You would stop for an animal."

DS Ross Gurden, from Kent Police, gave evidence at the hearing and revealed Miss Worrall and Mr Dunne had both consumed alcohol before leaving Camber Sands caravan park on February 20.

Tensions were high due to a dispute over an ex partner.

Police on the M20 where Dominique Worrall's body was found (1023566)
Police on the M20 where Dominique Worrall's body was found (1023566)

At 6.05pm, police received multiple calls about an accident between junctions 10 and 9 on the London-bound carriageway of the M20, which was closed as a result.

Police were told that Miss Worrall had jumped from the car.

Footage from 17 dashcams was used as evidence.

DS Gurden said the key dashcam footage showed road conditions were not favourable as there was heavy traffic and it was raining.

It showed the front passenger door opening and Miss Worrall steady herself in a standing position before she freely left the car.

The detective said the footage is clear she "comes out on own freewill".

Loretta Petrucci, Dominique's mum (14178850)
Loretta Petrucci, Dominique's mum (14178850)

Toxicology revealed she had cocaine in her system. During the inquest, Miss Worrall and Dunne's relationship was described as "volatile".

In November 2017, police were deployed following a call from Miss Worrall saying "domestic violence, please come now" and she'd suffered serious facial injuries.

Mr Dunne was arrested for grievous bodily harm but no further action was take due to insufficient evidence.

It was also heard Miss Worrall had been under the care of mental health teams, and had previously attempted suicide.

She had told health care professionals she suffered with mood swings and poor sleep and found pressures from social services were adding to her stress.

In January 2018, she was diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, alcohol misuse, and probable bipolar.

She was placed on different medications.

Concluding the inquest, assistant coroner Geoffrey Smith said he had considered three possible outcomes - unlawful killing, suicide or misadventure.

He said the evidence "was not there" for the first outcome and said he was not satisfied she has intented to take her own life.

He gave a verdict of misadventure, saying: "The circumstances are recorded on dashcam footage. It shows Dominique herself opened the door of the car in which she was travelling.

"Dunne was driving and she fell from the car."

He said cocaine was found in her system and that she had also been drinking.

Police on the M20 last year. Picture: Andy Clark
Police on the M20 last year. Picture: Andy Clark

He said: "No one will know what happened in that car.

"Mr Dunne denies any involvement in her death and officers say there is no third party involvement.

"What cannot be doubted is she fell from the vehicle travelling at speed and that killed her."

He said she had "demons" in her past and had been suffering in her relationships.

"I offer Dominique's mother and her whole family the condolences of the coroner's service," he added.

Speaking after the inquest, Ms Petrucci paid tribute to her daughter saying she always had a smile on her face.

For more information on why we cover inquests, click here.

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