Man who caused fatal collision jailed

A man has been jailed for causing the death of Jessica Dominy by careless driving on New Year’s Eve in 2021.

Jessica, 32, tragically died after a car driven by Zak Lacey collided with her on the B4192 in Whittonditch, near Ramsbury.

Lacey, 26, of Stag Hill, Chilton Foliat, appeared at Swindon Crown Court yesterday (22/01) after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

He was jailed for two years. He was also disqualified from driving for five years with an extended retest, to begin after his custodial period has been served.

At around 3.10pm on December 31, 2021, Lacey – who was travelling southbound in a black Audi A4 – veered over the central white line after failing to navigate a left-hand bend, colliding head-on with a white Ford Fiesta being driven by Jessica.

Jessica was sadly declared dead at the scene. Lacey was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Enquiries found that Lacey was driving whilst both tired and on prescribed medication likely to cause drowsiness.

He was also found to be travelling at between 67mph and 72mph, above the 60mph speed limit, and distracted by an unanswered telephone call coming into his phone.

Sgt Rich Hatch of the Serious Collision Investigation Team said: “Jessica’s family have had to wait for more than three years for this verdict and our thoughts remain with them at this time.

“The sentence passed yesterday 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.

“I hope that this, like other similar collisions we have dealt with, will serve as a warning to other road users to serious 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.

“My thoughts and those of my team go out to the Dominey family as no sentence can ever bring back their daughter.”