Siobhan Scanlon: Woman, 35, tragically killed on M32 sliproad after NYE celebration, inquest hears

A 35-year-old Bristol woman’s New Year’s Eve celebrations ended in tragedy as she ran across a M32 sliproad and was hit by two cars, an inquest heard.

Joanne Scanlon, an ‘incredibly talented’ digital marketing officer better known as ‘Siobhan’, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on a motorway entry sliproad at Junction Two at Eastville during the early hours of New Year’s Day (January 1 2022).

It is thought that Ms Scanlon, who was originally from Ireland, was making her way back to her home in Fishponds Road, Easville on foot after seeing in the New Year with friends at Revolucion De Cuba and Za Za Bazaar in the city centre.

An inquest at Avon Coroner’s Court yesterday (Wednesday, May 4) heard that witnesses saw an ‘intoxicated’ Ms Scanlon climb over some railings before running across a pedestrian crossing at the sliproad, which was showing red.

As a Toyota Prius made its way down the sliproad, Ms Scanlon started to run faster, but this brought her further into the path of the vehicle before it struck her.

Ms Scanlon was then hit by another car, this time a Honda Civic.

Both drivers came to a halt and one of them dialled 999, with paramedics attending shortly afterwards, but it was clear to witnesses gathered around Ms Scanlon that she had ‘already passed away’, the inquest heard.

A toxicology report showed that Ms Scanlon had ‘a high level’ of alcohol in her system at the time of her death - 230 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - which would have been conducive with ‘confusion, slurred speech and the inability to stand or walk unaided’.

PC Andy Bennet, a fatal collision investigator at Avon Somerset Police, attended the incident and gave evidence in court.

He said that CCTV has confirmed that the pedestrian crossing was ‘on red’ when Ms Scanlon walked out into the sliproad, and the fact she had broke out into a run suggested she was aware the Toyota Prius was approaching her.

PC Bennet said that the drivers ‘wouldn’t have had a chance’ to take action that could have avoided the collision, and that Ms Scanlon’s dark clothing made her all the more ‘inconspicious’ to them.

Both drivers took roadside breathalyser tests which came back negative, and the force found no faults with their vehicles that could have contributed to the incident.

Dr Peter Harrowing, area coroner for Avon, concluded that Ms Scanlon had died of ‘multiple injuries’ after being hit by two cars.

He said it was impossible to know if the first or second strike from the vehicles had killed Ms Scanlon, or a combination of both - but either way neither of the drivers involved were ‘at any fault’.

He told the court: “This is a sad situation of a pedestrian who has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol and whose judgement has been affected, and for this she paid a heavy price.

“Tragic circumstances befell what should have been a joyful and celebratory evening and I’d like to extend my most heartfelt sympathies to Ms Scanlon’s family.”

James Bryon, director of marketing and engagement at Dorothy House where Ms Scanlon previously worked, previously paid tribute to her.

He said: “Siobhan joined Dorothy House in August last year on a freelance contract and was a real breath of fresh air.

“She was an incredibly talented and positive force for the charity in the five months she was with us.

“She chose to move on at Christmas and will be deeply missed by the whole communications team, who have all lost a friend.”