TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman who died in a road smash, possibly caused by a missile thrown at her car.

Suzanne Singer, 40, from Shoebury, was killed when her car veered off the A127 near Basildon, hitting a tree.

Police are investigating whether an object was thrown at Suzanne's Vauxhall Corsa before the crash.

Other motorists reported stones, branches and an airgun pellet hitting their cars.

Suzanne's sister Caroline Say, 36, said her "bubbly, fun-loving but sensitive" sister was on her way home after buying bagels from a shop in Gants Hill when the accident happened.

Mrs Say said: "She used to treat herself and drive down there every now and then, for the bagels." She added: "When we were younger we had a lot of fights like most sisters, especially because we shared a bedroom.

"But as we got older, we got closer, in fact the whole family is close. It has been tough on all of us. I still can't quite believe she is gone."

Speaking of how she died, Mrs Say said: "We've been told by a driver who stopped in the layby that Suzanne's car careered towards them then smacked into a tree.

"It is indescribable to try and put into words about how I feel about the possibility thrown missiles could have caused her death."

"They obviously don't realise the consequences of what they are doing, if they are killing people. They should think about how they would feel if it was a member of their family - it wouldn't be as funny then."

Suzanne, an unemployed legal secretary who loved eating out and playing bingo, was taken to Southend Hospital after the crash and died shortly after arrival.

The crash happened at 11pm on Saturday on the Southend section of the A127 at Dunton. A post mortem carried out on Christmas Eve, revealed she died of multiple injuries.

Mrs Say, of Shakespeare Drive, Westcliff, learnt of her sister's death after police called at the home of her mother, Anne, at 1am on Sunday.

Mrs Say said: "I stayed with my mum on Saturday night but she hasn't been very well and was in Southend Hospital over Christmas." The family hoped she would be discharged today.

Suzanne's brother, Barry is flying home from America this week to be with the family, which includes another brother David, who lives with their mum.

Mrs Say, herself a mother to two daughters, said: "I don't know how we managed to get through Christmas but we did.

"My girls are coping pretty well, but I don't think they really understand yet.

"Mum has had a lot of people phoning to pass on their condolences, which is nice. Suzanne was always going out with friends."

Specialist search officers from Essex Police and scenes of crime officers carried out a detailed examination of the scene in the wake of the crash.

A section of the road was closed and reopened at 2.30pm on Sunday causing traffic disruption.

Two drivers, who passed the area shortly before the accident, reported their vehicles being stuck by some kind of missile.

Police want to hear from anyone with any information about the smash or who saw anyone in the area, around the time of the incident.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We have been pleased with the response to appeals for information so far, with many motorists contacting us and offering valuable details.

"We would urge them to continue to do so, especially those who used either carriageway towards the end of last week and think their cars were struck by flying objects."

Anyone with information should contact Basildon police on 01268 532212.