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Drink driver jailed for killing 'kind, vibrant' woman in horror crash

Matthew McGrath, 23, has been jailed for more than nine years after a high speed crash near Weston-super-Mare where passenger Emily Jordan, 20, was killed

[Matthew McGrath]

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Matthew McGrath has been jailed(Image: Police Handout)

A 23-year-old drink driver who crashed at more than double the speed limit and killing a passenger has been jailed for more than nine years.

Matthew McGrath is believed to have hit speeds of around 60mph when he lost control of his Toyota Avensis on Kewstoke Road, near Weston-super-Mare, when he lost control in the fatal collision on September 1, 2024.

Emily Jordan, aged 20, from Weston-super-Mare , suffered severe injuries in the crash on a bend from which she died and her family have paid tribute to her telling how she was "kind, vibrant and full of life".

McGrath had been drinking at a pub with Emily's partner and then went to pick her up before the collision took place.

Emilys family said in a tribute: We are absolutely heartbroken by the tragic and needless loss of our beautiful Emily. She was kind, vibrant and full of life, with her whole future ahead of her a future filled with happiness and adventure. That future was cruelly taken away by a senseless act of dangerous driving.

No outcome will ever bring Emily back or ease the pain of losing her, but we are grateful that the justice system has recognised the devastating consequences of Matthew McGraths dangerous driving. Emily will always be loved, always be missed, and forever remain in our hearts.

A statement from Avon and Somerset Police stated: "Matthew McGrath lost control of the Toyota Avensis he was driving along Kewstoke Road at about 9.50pm on 26 August 2024.

"Emily Jordan, aged 20 and from Weston-super-Mare, was a passenger in the rear of the car and had been picked up by McGrath after he had been to the pub with her partner, who he was friends with. She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision but sustained significant injuries, from which she sadly died on 1 September 2024.

"The precise speed McGrath was driving at is not known, however witness evidence suggested it was approximately 60mph and significantly above the 25mph limit.

"McGrath had been drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel. Expert evidence obtained throughout the investigation found it would have impaired his ability to drive safely."

McGrath, from Winscombe, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced to nine and a half years at Bristol Crown Court on Friday. He has also been disqualified from driving for 12 years and six months and must take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again.

Judge Martin Picton said McGrath went out drinking knowing he was planning to get behind the wheel and had previously boasted about driving fast on social media.

He told McGrath: You chose to drink alcohol before setting off in your car, and you then continued to drink alcohol knowing you were going to be driving home. This demonstrates that you were utterly indifferent to the risks inherent in so doing

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. You should not have been driving at all, let alone driving in the manner that you chose to do.

You were driving along a route you knew well. You commented how much you liked the road, no doubt because you enjoyed speeding along it. The bend where the crash happened is subject to a 25 mph speed limit. On the available evidence I am sure you were travelling at around 60 mph when you attempted to negotiate the turn.

And the judge told the defendant how Emily's family face a "life sentence of grieving".

Emma Ling, of Avon and Somerset Police's serious collision investigation team, said: Emily Jordans death has caused enormous heartbreak to her family, and no sentence can ever end the pain and sorrow they continue to endure.

Matthew McGrath told officers at the scene he had drunk a couple of pints before getting behind the wheel and that he had no idea the speed he was driving at.

Speeding and driving while unfit due to alcohol are two of the Fatal Five reasons that cause a large proportion of serious collisions. While these facts are well-known, sadly all too often we find ourselves responding to incidents of this nature. McGrath put himself and his two passengers in danger, as well as all other road users, and his actions ultimately cost Emily her life.

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