Driver jailed for two years over fatal crash

Jessica Dominy's family described her as "simply wonderful"

A driver has been jailed for two years after admitting to killing a woman in a New Year's Eve crash.

Zak Lacey, 26, of Stag Hill, Chilton Foliat, Wiltshire, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Jessica Dominy, 32, died after the car she was driving was hit head-on by Lacey's vehicle at about 15:10 GMT on 31 December 2021.

In addition to his jail sentence, Lacey was disqualified from driving for five years on his release and will have to take an extended retest.

The crash happened when Lacey, who was later found to have been driving while tired and on prescribed medication likely to cause drowsiness, veered over the central white line while going round a bend on the B4192 in Whittonditch, near Ramsbury.

He was found to have been travelling at between 67mph to 72mph, above the 60mph speed limit, and was distracted by an unanswered incoming phone call.

The car he was driving, a black Audi A4, hit a white Ford Fiesta being driven by Ms Dominy, who was on her way home from work. She was declared dead at the scene.

Lacey was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Sgt Rich Hatch, of Wiltshire Police, said the sentence "reflects the severity of the incident".

"Due to a combination of speed, fatigue and distraction, Lacey caused the death of an innocent woman who was just travelling home from work," he said.

"I hope that this, like other similar collisions we have dealt with, will serve as a warning to other road users to seriously consider their actions when they get behind the wheel of their vehicles.

"Even prescribed drugs can have an adverse effect on people's ability to drive and make decisions."