A British pensioner was killed in a horror car accident just weeks before a planned Christmas trip with her husband in Thailand.

Suzanne Routledge Godwin, 75, was crossing the road when a white Toyota Fortuner struck her in Nonthaburi, just outside Bangkok, on December 3.

CCTV footage shows the expat shuffling toward the median strip as the vehicle ploughed into her without slowing down.

The impact hurled the expat across the pavement and sent debris flying as stunned driver Jarunan Kalong, 40, pulled over on the roadside. The motorist was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving causing death.

Suzanne's husband, David, from Liverpool, later arrived at the station. Cops said he was 'in deep grief' and had kept his head bowed during questioning.

Though devastated with sorrow, he told police that he had come to terms with his wife's death.

He said: 'No matter how much I blame the driver, my wife will not come back. Suzanne was my life. Nothing can make up for that.'

Police arrived at Bang Kruai–Sai Noi Road at around 1 pm local time, where they found Suzanne sprawled lifeless with fatal head and neck injuries and a severe elbow wound.

Her groceries were scattered on the ground, while the Toyota pickup was found with its bumper partially peeled off.

A tearful Jarunan was taken to the Sai Noi District Police Station for questioning.

She told officers that she was going to meet a friend when she saw Suzanne crossing toward the central reservation.

She said: 'She suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, and I couldn't brake in time. She was already near the median. I don't know why she stopped.

'I feel terrible that she had to lose her life. If she had only been injured, she could have recovered.'

Deputy mayor Somsak Duangson said he was close friends with the British couple, who had moved to Thailand for retirement eight years ago.

He said the pair purchased a home in the district five years ago, and were well-loved by their neighbours.

The local official added: 'A few days ago, they told me they had booked a place in Pattaya to celebrate Christmas together. I never imagined something like this would happen. I'm ready to help arrange a Thai Buddhist ceremony for Mrs Suzanne.'

Driver Jarunan was detained at the police station for further questioning. Police said she will be charged with reckless driving causing death.

Thailand has one of the world's worst road safety records. Ministers have set the goal of reducing fatalities from 32.7 deaths per 100,000 people to 12 per 100,000 people by the year 2027.

However, a lack of road safety education in schools along with notoriously easy driving tests, police failures to enforce road laws, and chronic under-investment in infrastructure, all appear to hamper the efforts.