A 34-year-old woman was killed in a horrifying accident on May 19 after her own car rolled forward and struck her as she worked on the engine, according to dramatic CCTV footage obtained by local authorities. Yessica—whose surname has not been publicly released to protect her family’s privacy—was performing routine maintenance on her black Renault Clio in a residential parking lot in the northern English town of Stockton-on-Tees when the incident occurred at approximately 1:10 p.m.
The footage, reviewed by emergency services and shared with world-today-news.com, shows the car’s front wheels moving incrementally backward before lurching forward with enough force to drag Yessica’s body beneath it. Witnesses reported hearing the engine rev irregularly before the collision, though the exact cause of the vehicle’s movement remains under investigation. A spokeswoman for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust confirmed Yessica was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency responders arrived.
Neighbors who spoke to local media described the area as quiet at the time, with no visible incline in the parking lot. One resident, who declined to be named, told reporters, “She was just standing there, tinkering with the car. One minute she was there, the next—well, you can see what happened.” The Renault Clio’s handbrake was reportedly engaged, though investigators have not ruled out mechanical failure or an undetected obstruction in the parking space.
Police have launched a fatal accident inquiry and are collaborating with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to examine the car’s service history. A statement from Cleveland Police read: “Our priority is to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident. We urge anyone with information about the vehicle or the area to come forward.” The inquiry is expected to take at least 28 days, during which the car will be impounded for forensic analysis.
Yessica’s family has not issued a public statement, though local community groups have set up a fund to support her children, aged 8 and 12. The accident has reignited discussions about vehicle safety, particularly the risks of working on cars without a fully engaged parking brake or wheel chocks. The Renault Clio, a model with over 20 million units sold globally, has not been recalled for similar incidents, though the manufacturer has offered condolences and assistance to the family.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Department for Transport has reiterated its advice for motorists: “Always ensure your vehicle is on a firm, level surface before working on it, and use wheel chocks or blocks to prevent movement.” The department declined to comment further, stating that investigations are ongoing.
As of press time, no further details have been released about Yessica’s employment or personal circumstances. The inquiry’s findings will determine whether broader safety recommendations are issued for Renault vehicles or parking lot maintenance protocols.
