A doting grandmother who died after her car veered into a four truck convoy was only minutes away from her destination and had only just reconnected with her only daughter.
Mother-of-three Catherine Ergovic, 49, was on her way to visit family in Northam, 97km north east of Perth, Western on Wednesday night when tragedy struck.
Ms Ergovic was travelling along the Great Eastern Highway in Wundowie when her silver Hyundai Elantra veered across the road into the westbound lane.
Her car crashed into the third truck of the convoy and crumbled on impact.
Ms Ergovic died at the scene, just 20 minutes from her destination.
Daughter Tenielle Nugent, 25, had only recently rekindled a relationship with her mum after a six month ‘falling out’.
Catherine Ergovic was travelling along the Great Eastern Highway in Wundowie when her silver Hyundai Elantra veered onto the other side of the road and collided with a truck convoy
‘My older brother called me and said, ‘Mum was in a car crash and unfortunately she didn’t make it’,’ Ms Nugent told the West n.
‘I fell onto the floor on my hands and knees screaming. I thought it can’t be real but then I saw the photos of her car, I knew she didn’t survive that. I screamed and cried over the phone.’
Ms Nugent said she did not know how the crash happened but believes her mum may have fallen asleep or had a medical episode while she was driving.
She described her mum as a ‘kind’ and ‘amazing’ mother who always put her children first.
‘It’s so hard to put into words the kind of mother she was, she was such a beautiful caring lady,’ Ms Nugent said.
‘She loved cooking for us, she loved country music and she loved shopping.’
‘My dad is devastated and heartbroken. They were separated but they still loved each other very much.’
Ms Ergovic’s daughter Tenielle Nugent said the family was ‘devastated and heartbroken’ over the death of her mum (Ms Ergovic pictured with her daughter Ms Nugent)
Ms Nugent praised the first responders who were confronted with harrowing scenes.
She has also spoken with the wife of the truck driver and hopes that he’s doing okay.
Ms Ergovic is survived by her three children – Tenielle and sons Bronson and Zac, along with three grandchildren.
Major crash detectives have launched an investigation into the crash.
Anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers.