Joanna Mellow - killed while jogging in Morrinsville, New Zealand

Joanna and Shane Mellow

Joanna (Jo) Mellow, age 42, died on April 27, 2013, on a street in Morrinsville, New Zealand.

Jo was jogging with her husband Shane, on a residential street. At about 2:00 p.m., she was struck by an out of control four wheel drive vehicle. Jo was pinned against a house.

She later succumbed to her injuries.

Jo was a nurse who was planning her daughter's 13th birthday later this week.

Friends describe Jo as an amazing friend, a fun person, and well-liked.

Family members are devastated by the loss of their loved one in this tragic way.

Some of the people who live on this residential street have complained to the Police and to the Local Council about speeding on this street. However, the Mayor states that there is not a speeding problem there. 

An elderly gentlemen was driving the vehicle. Why he lost control of his vehicle is unknown at this time. Speed and alcohol are not considered to be factors. The driver and his passenger escaped injury. However, even the house they crashed into was heavily damaged. 

Saint Bernadette of
Lourdes, pray for Jo

Maybe it's time in New Zealand and elsewhere for mandatory driving retests for drivers over a certain age.  God knows that people will insist on driving until their last breath, thereby endangering the lives of others.

Jo is survived by many loving friends and relatives including her father, Maurice Steffert; her brother, Warren; her husband, Shane; and her daughters - Monique (age 13), and Danielle (age 11).

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next. Amen. 

Let us pray that Joanna is in heaven. Let us pray that she is at peace and is with God. Amen.