Mother killed by falling road sign on Dutch highway

Susan Smit from Weesp was killed in a bizarre accident on the A9 highway on Saturday afternoon. A truck collided against a traffic portal, which fell down onto Smit's car. The 40-year-old mother of three teenagers died at the scene, according to newspaper AD.

The accident happened around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. The work truck was busy laying asphalt - the road is being widened - when its raised back hit the traffic portal. The portal fell backwards. It hit a paving machine driving behind the work truck, and Smit's car driving on the other lane. The driver of the paving machine was injured, but survived the accident. The fire department had to free him from the wreckage. The truck driver was unharmed.

"The beam came through her windshield and her roof", Smit's uncle Dick said to the newspaper. Her body was identified by a brother and niece. "She was a very beautiful woman. But her niece barely recognized her. It was extremely difficult seeing her like that."

According to Dick, the family is left with many questions. "How could this have happened?" he said to the newspaper. "It is a horrible and bizarre accident."

The 48-year-old truck driver was arrested on suspicion of causing a fatal road accident. He was questioned before being released. The truck was seized. According to police spokesperson Frans Zuiderhoek, this is standard procedure in this type of accident. "He was officially arrested because he is thus entitled to a lawyer and may call on his right to remain silent."

#Weesp - Nabestaanden Susan Smit (40) hebben veel vragen na horrorongeluk met matrixbord pic.twitter.com/CSIM9SHZg4 https://t.co/T8jQHrgM6u

— Hubert De Meulder (@HubertDeMeulder) December 12, 2016