A decision as to whether an inquest will be held into the death of an 18-year-old road traffic victim is yet to be made. 

Mariana Valente, from Dereham, was the front seat passenger in a Ford Fiesta which hit a tree on the B1110 near North Elmham in the early hours of September 17, 2022. 

Emergency services attended the scene and Mariana was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital by ambulance with life-threatening injuries.  

She died in the early hours of September 19, 2022. 

Last month, Teegan Brabant, 21, of Litcham Road in Mileham, was jailed for six years having previously pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving and causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving.  

(Image: Norfolk Police)

Brabant had been driving the car when he collided with a tree on the B1110, between the B1145 junction and Hall Road. 

As well as being jailed for six years, he was disqualified from driving for eight years and told he must take an extended driving test before he can drive again.  

This week, a pre-inquest hearing was heard at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, based at County Hall in Norwich. 

During the brief hearing, the senior coroner Jacqueline Lake, said: “A decision is still to be made as to whether or not, on the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, an inquest is required.  

“On that basis I adjourn for a further pre-inquest review on June 16, 2024.” 

Following the tragedy, floral tributes and cards for Miss Valente were left at the scene. 

(Image: Newsquest)

A former Dereham Neatherd High School pupil, Mariana was described as a 'ray of sunshine' in a tribute from a family friend. 

Julie Bond, the mother of Mariana's best friend, described her as "an absolute treasure". 

Ms Bond said: "She was a ray of sunshine, everyone loved her. 

"She was so funny but blunt with it, she was an absolute treasure.”