A truck driver has been taken into custody following a tragic accident in a tunnel that claimed the life of a dedicated mother and injured three of her family members, who remain hospitalized.
The victim, 44-year-old Jennifer Anne Brown, known for her radiant smile, lost her life in the collision involving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) within a coastal tunnel. Brown, a care worker and grandmother from Newborough on Anglesey, was declared dead at the scene along the A55 near the Conwy Tunnel in North Wales.
The crash left three of her family members, who were traveling with her, critically injured. They were transported to the hospital, with two requiring air ambulance services.
A 57-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury due to dangerous driving.
“We can confirm that a 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving,” stated a representative from North Wales Police.
A North Wales Police spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that a 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
‘He has been released on police bail whilst our investigations continue.’
Care worker Jennifer Anne Brown, 44, died at the scene of a tunnel crash involving an HGV
Police at the scene of the collision where Ms Brown died. Three of her family members were hospitalised following the crash
A GoFundMe fundraiser to help Ms Brown’s family has already raised more than £14,000.
The page reads: ‘Our community was shattered by a horrific car accident that has left a precious young girl Keisha aged 20 suddenly without her beloved mum.
‘To make this tragedy even more unbearable, the rest of her family members are fighting for their lives in critical care at the hospital.
‘In an instant, this bright, gentle child has lost the parent who cared for her every single day, and now faces an uncertain future as her loved ones battle to recover.
‘She is currently being looked after by close family friends, but the road ahead is filled with overwhelming challenges.
‘The funds we raise will go directly to supporting Keisha and her family in their greatest time of need.’
Ms Brown had worked at the Glan Rhos Nursing Home in north-west Wales for more than 20 years, where she was affectionately known as ‘Queen’.
She was described by colleagues as a ‘compassionate’ worker who had a ‘warm smile that could light up any room’.
In a tribute, the nursing home said: ‘Jenny, affectionately known to everyone here as “Queen”, has been a valued member of staff at Glan Rhos for over 20 years.
‘Not just a member of staff, she was family. She first walked through the door as a shy 17-year-old and, over time, blossomed into the caring and compassionate person we all came to know and love.
‘Jenny touched countless lives throughout her career, always greeting everyone with a warm smile that could light up any room.’
Police said a woman had died following a collision on the A55 in Conwy.
‘At around midday on Thursday, January 29, we responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision on the A55 westbound at J17 in Conwy Morfa involving a HGV and a car,’ a police spokesperson said.
‘Emergency services attended but despite best efforts, a woman in her 40s, who was travelling in the car, was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.
‘Two people were airlifted to hospitals in Stoke and Aintree with serious injuries, while a third person was taken by ambulance to Aintree.
‘All four people were travelling in the same car. The driver of the HGV is currently assisting police with their enquiries.
‘The road closure on the westbound carriageway has now been partially removed, with a single lane of traffic flowing from the Conwy Tunnel exiting at J17 Conwy Morfa off-slip and then re-joining the carriageway on the J17 on-slip.
‘Investigations by the North Wales Police Forensic Collision Investigation Unit are ongoing at the scene.’
Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said: ‘I share my deepest condolences with the woman’s family at this incredibly difficult time, and my thoughts are with all the others involved in this collision.
‘I am asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have relevant dash-cam footage, to come forward as soon as possible.’
