Inquest Says Kent Woman Was Killed In Hit And Run

An inquest confirms 21 year old Francesca Foulkes from Rainham was killed in a hit and run on Ibiza

A 21-year-old woman died after being struck in a hit-and-run crash in Ibiza by a speeding motorist who was allegedly high on drink and drugs, an inquest heard today.

Francesca Foulkes, a debt recovery agent, was nearly a week into a holiday with a group of friends in San Antonio on the Balearic island when she was hit by a car.

Its driver had 70mg per 100ml of breath - twice the British drink-drive limit, and also tested positive for cocaine and cannabis, the inquest heard.

The suspect, who has not been named, has been charged with negligent homicide, reckless driving, drink-driving and a hit-and-run offence.

The crash happened as Miss Foulkes and a friend, Jessica Read, were walking back to their apartment at about 2.30am on Sunday July 25 last year following a night spent on a bar strip.

The inquest was told the pair were walking towards oncoming traffic trying to find a space among parked cars to step on to the pavement.

Miss Read held Miss Foulkes' hand as they walked along the busy, well-lit beachside road, but noticed one car in particular driving at high speed towards them.

Miss Read said: ``I noticed the headlights were coming faster than the others. It was closer to the parked cars than the others as well.

``As I saw it coming towards us, I looked back to her to check that she wasn't in the way. I went to pull her in and it was just a bit too quick.''

Choking back tears, Miss Read added: ``It was when I turned back round to pull her in that it happened.''

Miss Foulkes, from Gillingham, Kent, was thrown about two car lengths by the high-speed impact into a parked vehicle, causing her massive injuries.

A post-mortem examination found she died from a fracture to the base of her skull.

Miss Read said the crash happened so quickly that she was not able to say anything to warn her friend.

She added that she could not remember brakes screeching or any attempt by the driver to avoid them, saying: ``It just seemed to be going straight.''

Family liaison officer Pc Paul Billings, of Kent Police, accompanied Miss Foulkes' mother, Gina, to Ibiza to help make contact with local police.

He told the inquest at County Hall, Maidstone, that proceedings against the suspect were outstanding and that he was on bail pending a court case.

Coroner Roger Sykes recorded a narrative verdict, saying Miss Foulkes died after being hit by a car whose driver was ``intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine, was driving in excess of a safe speed and failed to stay at the scene''.

He said he could not record a verdict of unlawful killing as that may prejudge the outcome of the upcoming Spanish court proceedings.