Fort Providence (June 09/03) - Yellowknife resident Patricia Dei was killed in a single-vehicle accident on a straight stretch of paved road between Rae and Fort Providence, Wednesday evening.

The 58-year-old woman worked as the office manager at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre in Yellowknife.

Dei was a passenger in the rear seat of the van when she was thrown from the vehicle and succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

NWT Chief Coroner Percy Kinney said the van rolled over. An autopsy report due back from Edmonton in 10-12 weeks will look into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Kinney said he doesn't know yet if the victim was wearing a seatbelt.

Kinney said when he arrived at the accident scene the weather was windy and drizzling.

The driver of the van, Patricia's son Joel Dei, was rushed to hospital by ambulance with minor injures.

Patricia's husband, Norman Dei, was the other passenger in the van. He was taken to hospital by air ambulance with non life threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing, however Sgt. J.B. Milner of the Rae detachment said driver error was a contributing factor to the accident.