A FROME driver has been jailed after admitting causing the death of his passenger Jossette Kemery and injuring another woman in a collision whilst over the prescribed limit for alcohol.

Declan Jake Jackson, 32, was driving a black Peugeot 207 which was involved in a collision on the A371 near its junction with the A359, near Castle Cary, on Sunday, March 19.

Jossette, 41, died at the scene. A woman in her fifties who was driving the other vehicle sustained serious injuries.

Jackson admitted to causing death through careless driving whilst over the prescribed limit for alcohol, causing serious injury through careless driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Jossette's family expressed how her death has impacted them at a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, January 23. 

Jossette's mother said: “The day my daughter Jossette Kemery’s life was taken away was Mother’s Day … my whole life completely fell apart.

"Every day is a struggle to get through. My heart breaks knowing her children won’t ever see their mum again or be able to talk to her."

Jossette’s eldest daughter added: “It completely broke my heart…I found out I was pregnant the day after mum’s funeral…I directed all my grief into focusing on the baby. I still haven’t grieved properly. I feel like my son was a gift from my mum."

Jossette’s brother said: “Jossette’s death has destroyed the whole family really. He’s taken Jossette away from her children…he’s ruined our lives."

Somerset County Gazette: Jossette Kemery.Jossette Kemery. (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)

Jackson was found to have two and a half times the legal limit for alcohol in his bloodstream following the collision. The active ingredient for cannabis was also detected.

Five days before the collision, Jackson was disqualified from driving for previous drink-driving incidents.

Jackson, who had sustained serious injuries himself, said that he had no recollection of the incident but felt remorse.

Following a discount for his early plea, Jackson was handed a jail term of seven years and nine months for causing Jossette’s death. An eight-month prison sentence for causing serious injuries to the other driver and additional sentences for driving while disqualified and without insurance are to run concurrently.

He also received a 10-year driving ban.

Officer in the case DC Peter Williams said: “Throughout the investigation, my thoughts have been with Jossette’s family, and in particular her mother and her children. For them, a special day on which we celebrate our mothers will never be the same again.

“My thoughts have also been with the driver of the vehicle that Declan’s collided with. She suffered serious and life-changing injuries because of Declan’s decision to drive while intoxicated through alcohol and cannabis."

His Honour Judge Paul Cook said that Jackson's decision to drink and drive had "devastating" consequences.