Theale – Inquest held into death of woman, 28, after crash

Naomi Bolatete, from Hemel Hempstead, died in Theale after leaving the M4 eastbound, on August 10, 2025, aged just 28. An inquest into the death of the laboratory technician, who was born in the Philippines,, was formally concluded at Reading Coroners' Court on Tuesday, May 5. Assistant Coroner Justine Spencer concluded proceedings after reviewing police, medical and forensic evidence into the fatal collision.

The hearing was told that emergency services were called at about 9.52pm to reports of a VW Polo on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 13 and 12 near Theale. Officers from Thames Valley Police and paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service attended to find the car had left the road and passed through a barrier. Naomi, the sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10.50pm.

Paramedics arrived at 10.32pm in a response time of half-an-hour. There were no life-saving opportunities identified, the coroner said. Multiple motorists described seeing the vehicle suddenly change course.

One witness reported the car moving across lanes "at almost a 90-degree angle" before striking the barrier. Another described it travelling quickly with full-beam headlights before swerving sharply across lanes. There was no evidence Naomi had been using her phone at the time, the inquest heard.

She had been visiting friends in Bristol and was returning home at the time of the crash. The inquest also heard she held a full UK driving licence with no penalty points. Medical records showed she had previously reported anxiety and, earlier in 2025, concerns about daytime drowsiness.

Her medication had been adjusted following a GP consultation in April that year, with no further recorded concerns. Forensic collision investigator Madeline Butler gave evidence about her examination of the scene and vehicle. The court heard that the car had crossed multiple lanes before impact and struck the barrier and left the carriageway.

There was no indication of another vehicle being involved and road and weather conditions did not present obvious hazards. Toxicology results showed no alcohol or non-prescribed drugs in Naomi's system. A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries consistent with a high-impact road traffic collision.

The assistant coroner recorded that Naomi Balotete died as a result of a road traffic collision, with no evidence of third-party involvement.

She said the crash occurred after the vehicle veered across the motorway for reasons that could not be 'definitively established'.

References

1. ^ Reading independent school praised in Ofsted inspection (www.readingchronicle.co.uk)