Woman jailed after 28-year-old's crash death

Emma Louise Morris died at the scene of the four-car crash in April last year

A woman has been jailed following a crash which flipped another car, killing a 28-year-old woman and severely injuring her four-year-old son.

Emma Louise Morris died on 3 April, 2023, after a car driven by Jacqueline Mwila, 51, of Mount Pleasant, Swansea, ignored double white lines to overtake and hit her head-on.

Mwila pleaded guilty to causing the death of Ms Morris, from Pwllheli, Gwynedd, by driving dangerously on the Felinheli bypass, near Bangor, Gwynedd.

She was jailed for seven years and four months, heard Caernarfon crown court.

Mwila also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving to the Ms Morris' son and her partner, James Walsh.

Judge Timothy Petts told Mwila that she had pulled out behind a car and accelerated to 69mph, in a 60mph limit.

"You have no real explanation for this," he said.

Mwila ignored double white lines to overtake a car on the Felinheli bypass, near Bangor, and hit Ms Morris' car

"Emma Morris saw you but she had no chance to avoid you. Her death would have been virtually instantaneous," added the judge.

He said that Ms Morris's son had been trapped in the overturned car, with multiple injuries and was taken to Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool.

"You didn’t intend to drive dangerously on your journey," Judge Petts added.

"I accept the knowledge you have killed a young mother has affected you greatly.

"She clearly had so much to live for. For her children to grow up without her is indescribably awful for them."

'This collision was wholly avoidable'

Simon Rogers, prosecuting, said mum-of-two Ms Morris' car rolled "repeatedly" after the impact with the Audi A3 driven by Mwila.

Mwila told police she saw the car, but "there was no way out so she kept driving".

Seconds before the smash she accelerated from 65mph to 69mph, the court heard.

Mr Rogers said Ms Morris' son's suffered brain injuries in the crash.

"This collision was wholly avoidable if the Audi driven by Miss Mwila had remained in the Caernarfon-bound lane," he added.

In an impact statement, Mr Walsh said of his partner Ms Morris: "We had so much planned. I feel heartbroken."

Ms Morris' father, Stephen, said his "beautiful" daughter was a proud mum.

He said his grandson had been in intensive care and "his wounds and scars will never go away and be a constant reminder of the loss of his mother."

"The only thing that keeps me alive is my beautiful grandsons," added Ms Morris' mum, Julie.

"She was the most amazing mum."

Defence barrister Richard Dawson said Mwila was "profoundly sorry" and she accepted a moment of decision-making had changed the life of a family.

"While unexplained, it was a genuine mistake on the part of Ms Mwila, a mistake she readily accepts has had devastating consequences," he added.

"She was a mother, too, and sent money to others in Zambia.

"This was an offence arising from a momentary error of judgement."

In addition to her seven year and four month jail term, Mwila was handed a nine-year driving ban and extended test was ordered.