Clacton crash: Driver Kelly Cox jailed after RAF veteran killed

Kelly Cox, 35, was jailed for 33 months after she admitted causing death by dangerous driving

A dangerous driver who caused the death of an RAF veteran while impaired by prescription drugs has been jailed.

Norman Austin, 84, died at the scene in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, when his Citroen was hit head-on by a car in April 2020.

St John's Road was closed for six-and-a-half hours while police officers undertook investigative inquiries.

BMW driver Kelly Cox, of Holmwood Close in the town, was jailed for 33 months after she admitted causing Mr Austin's death by dangerous driving.

During the sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court, the 35-year-old was also banned from driving for five years upon her release.

The family of Norman Austin, 84, said he was still full of life before he died in the crash

On Saturday 11 April 2020, just before midday, police were called to a collision in St John's Road, near the junction with Jaywick Lane.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Austin was pronounced dead and Cox was arrested at the scene.

Essex Police's Serious Collision and Investigation Unit had discovered her driving was impaired by prescription drugs.

In a statement, Mr Austin's family said: "The circumstances in which [he] was taken from us has completely devastated our family and friends."

They said he was "still full of life" and had been proud to represent his local Royal British Legion, having served in the Royal Air Force early in his life.

The family added that he drove London buses and became a bus driving instructor before he took on a job as a taxi driver in his final working years.

Det Sgt Alex Black, of Essex Police, said he hoped the sentence imposed on Cox would allow Mr Austin's family to move on with their lives.

"The driver who caused his premature death has now been jailed for her actions that day and will be disqualified from driving upon her release from prison," he said.

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