Eastbourne man jailed following fatal crash
71 year-old Jennifer Allen died after Shaun Mulligan struck her car
A drink and drug driver who caused a fatal collision near Henfield has been jailed for five years.
Shaun Mulligan of Seaside, Eastbourne lost control of a scaffolding van on the A281 in November 2022.
The incident happened just after 4pm on 6 November 6 between Henfield and Woodmancote.
Mr Mulligan's vehicle struck a car driven by then 71-year-old Jennifer Allen travelling in the opposite direction who died at the scene.
A test after the collision revealed he was nearly twice over the legal alcohol limit.
He later told officers he had a “glug” of vodka before driving.
He also tested positive for traces of cocaine.
The 48-year-old was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on 25 October where he was also disqualified from driving for seven and a half years.
Ms Allen's family said:
“It is extremely difficult to convey the grief, the enormous sense of loss and the life changing turmoil caused when Jenny’s life was brutally ended by the selfish and reckless behaviour of a man who clearly had no concept of duty or responsibility whatsoever.
"So many people were better for having Jenny in their lives and we feel very fortunate to have benefited from her kind and gentle nature and we miss her every day."
Detective Sergeant Ian Foxton from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said:
“Yet again this is another case that demonstrates the devastating consequences of drink and drug driving.
"Witnesses and footage showed Mulligan’s poor driving. He posed a serious risk not just to his own safety, but to every other road user.
"Tragically, this was evidenced when he lost control of his vehicle and caused a head-on collision.
"The fact Mulligan still thought he would be ok to drive, despite consuming vodka, is shocking.
"Our work to catch drink and drug drivers before they cause such harm to themselves and others, continues.”