Drink-driver jailed for death of 20-year-old woman

A drink-driver who killed a 20-year-old woman while speeding at around 60mph in a 25mph area has been jailed for more than nine years.

Emily Jordan, 20, from Weston-super-Mare, died in hospital several days after sustaining serious injuries in the crash on 26 August 2024, despite wearing a seatbelt.

She was a passenger in the car driven by 23-year-old Matthew McGrath, who had been drinking in a pub before the incident and is thought to have been travelling more than double the speed limit at the time of the crash.

Following McGrath's sentencing on Friday, Jordan's family said her future had been "taken away by a senseless act of dangerous driving".

"We are absolutely heartbroken by the tragic and needless loss of our beautiful Emily," they said.

"She was kind, vibrant and full of life, with her whole future ahead of her – a future filled with happiness and adventure."

McGrath, from Winscombe, North Somerset, pleaded guilty to one count of death by dangerous driving at an earlier court hearing in July.

He had been drinking heavily at a pub on the night of 26 August when he lost control of the Toyota Avensis he was driving on Kewstoke Road, near Weston-super-Mare.

Jordan was a passenger in the rear of the car and had been picked up after McGrath had been drinking with her partner.

The precise speed McGrath was driving before the incident is unknown, but His Honour Judge Martin told the court on Friday that the evidence showed he was travelling at around 60mph when he attempted to negotiate a turn on the country road. The bend, Martin said, was subject to a 25mph speed limit.

"You were driving along a route you knew well," Martin told McGrath. "You commented how much you liked the road, no doubt because you enjoyed speeding along it.

Emma Ling, of Avon and Somerset Police's serious collision investigation team, said McGrath told officers at the scene he had drunk "a couple of pints" before getting in the car and that "he had no idea the speed he was driving at".

Evidence gathered throughout the investigation found that the amount he drank would have impaired his ability to drive safely.

"McGrath put himself and his two passengers in danger, as well as all other road users, and his actions ultimately cost Emily her life," Ling said.

Passing his sentence on Friday, Martin said: "You were responsible for the safety of your passengers, as well as the safety of other road users. You showed no regard for that whatsoever."

As well as his prison sentence, McGrath was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and six months and must take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again.

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