A MOTHER suffered life-changing injuries in a crash caused by two speeding drivers who were racing each other.

Daish Jaggers and Joshua Knevett were speeding on the A26 at Beddingham and contravening double white lines as they overtook vehicles on numerous bends.

When Jaggers lost control of his blue Hyundai I30N, he crashed head-on into a Mini driven by a 44-year-old woman from Seaford. She sustained life-changing injuries to her legs and arms and suffered a broken sternum and bruising to her lungs.

Her two children in the car were also seriously injured. Her 15-year-old daughter suffered a broken collarbone and her nine-year-old son suffered internal injuries and bruising.

Jaggers, 24, and Knevett, 27, were returning from a weekend trip to the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany when the collision occurred on the evening of May 27 last year.

The Argus: Jaggers' car after the crashJaggers' car after the crash

Jaggers suffered severe bruising but no serious injuries, while Knevett had been following Jaggers in his black Renault Clio Sport and was not involved in the collision.

At Lewes Crown Court earlier this month, Jaggers, a manager, of Westview Close in Peacehaven, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Knevett, a plumber, of Northdown Road in Newhaven, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving without due care and attention. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must take a standard driving test should he wish to drive again.

Investigating officer PC Ian Foxton said: “While both defendants were completely irresponsible, it is clear Jaggers ultimately caused the crash which led to a family of three suffering serious injuries and changing their lives forever.

“Speeding is one of the five most common causes of collisions which result in death or serious injury on our roads. This case is a clear example of the absolute devastation that can be caused by driving above the speed limit.

“I’d like to personally thank the numerous witnesses who provided evidence which helped us secure this prosecution, and in particular the family involved, who continue to experience the traumatic effects of this collision both mentally and physically.

“We continue to provide education about the risks of speeding, and we will not stop. We are committed to protecting people on our roads and dealing robustly with those who compromise the safety of themselves and others.”