25-year-old woman who ‘lit up every room’ is killed after Mercedes crashed into a tree

Driver Natalie Marshall, 25, was killed when her Mercedes went off the road and crashed into a tree, seriously injuring a male passenger while police investigate the cause of the incident

A young woman who was killed when her car went off the road and collided with a tree “illuminated every room” she entered, according to her heartbroken family.

Natalie Marshall, 25, was seriously injured when her Mercedes crashed on the A167 on the outskirts of Darlington at around 3am on Friday June 17.

Despite the best efforts of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and Great North Air Ambulance, she died at the scene.

In a tribute released today, her family said: “Natalie was a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

“Words cannot express how we all feel at the loss of the greatest and strongest person we have known.

“Natalie lit up the room as soon as she walked in, she was the most hardworking and selfless young woman. We are truly heartbroken by this tragedy.

“I know for sure that she has a place in the hearts of many people.”

The passenger, a man in his 20s, was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with serious injuries, where he remains.

Collision investigators have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage of the vehicle just before the collision.

Anyone who can help is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101 quoting incident number 57 from June 17.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary added: “A woman has died in Darlington after a serious collision.

“Police were called to a collision with a vehicle on the A167 near Coatham Munderville just after 3am on 17 June.

“It is believed that the vehicle, a Mercedes C-Class, went off the road and collided with a tree.

“Unfortunately, the driver, a woman in her 20s, died at the scene.

“The passenger, also a man in his 20s, was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with serious injuries.

“Collision investigators are currently working on site and the road is expected to be closed for some time.”

A spokesman for NEAS added: “We were called at 3.13am this morning to a traffic accident involving a vehicle on the A167 in Darlington.

“We dispatched two double-crew ambulances, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance.

“A patient was taken to James Cook Hospital.”

The road was temporarily closed for investigations.