Ecstasy death crash driver jailed

Theresa Clarke, 28, from Nevill Road, Uckfield, was driving home from the V Festival in Staffordshire last year in a Vauxhall Zafira people carrier when she veered off the M25 near Brentwood, Essex.

Passengers Andrew Lucas, 21, from Maidstone, Kent and Joanna Walker, 18, from Staplehurst, were hurled from the car and died from multiple injuries.

Paul Smith, 26, also from Maidstone, was sitting in the passenger seat and was killed instantly when the Zafira crashed through a wooden fence, forcing panels of wood through the windows.

Clarke was left fighting for her life and had to be cut free from the car along with the surviving passengers, Rob Merchant, 22, from Maidstone, and Jenny Oliver, also in her early 20s.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Clarke admitted she had fallen asleep at the wheel and later confessed to taking half an ecstasy tablet during the pop festival.

But toxicology tests revealed she had probably popped up to three pills during the day or taken a tablet shortly before leaving to drive home.

Clarke admitted three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Robert Ellison, prosecuting, said all five friends had spent the day at the V festival on August 20 last year and had hired the car, with Clarke agreeing to do the driving.

Clarke 'nearly died' at the scene and had to be resuscitated three times and nearly lost both her legs.

Beverley Cherrill, defending, said Clarke had been 'contemplating taking her own life' adding: 'Nothing can represent the great sorrow and remorse she feels'.