Lucie Smidova was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

A young woman who seriously injured a mother and her two daughters in a horrific crash at an accident black spot has been jailed for six months

Lucie Smidova had been drinking and was almost certainly over the drink-drive limit when she smashed into Amanda Maidment's Volvo V40 on the A268 Rye Road in Sandhurst.

Mrs Maidment, who was a nurse, was the most seriously hurt after being trapped in her car. Smidova, 24, also suffered serious injuries.

A judge told the Czech-born graphic designer: "This case illustrates the very grave danger posed when drivers set out on a journey having consumed alcohol, convinced in their own minds they are fit to drive when, in fact, they are over the limit.

"A clear aggravating feature of this case is alcohol."

Smidova, of Wish Valley Mews, Talbot Road, Hawkhurst, admitted dangerous driving, the maximum penalty for which is two years imprisonment. She was banned for 18 months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Smidova was alone in her Citroen C4 in the early evening of April 15 last year after going to a pub in Tenterden.

Mrs Maidment was travelling in the opposite direction with her daughters Emma, 15, and 18-year-old Charlotte.

"the accident caused the family severe difficulties, both mentally and financially..." – jo cope, prosecuting

Jo Cope, prosecuting, said the crash happened on a double bend near Stone Pit Lane.

The Citroen lost control on a right-hand bend and hit Mrs Maidment's car. Both cars were mangled wrecks.

Judge Philip Statman said the damage was "absolutely awful". Smoke and flames were coming from both cars.

"Mrs Maidment was trapped in her car for some time," said Mrs Cope. "The impact caused the collapse of the engine into the driver's position.

"It pushed the steering wheel high onto her chest, restricting her breathing."

She had multiple injuries and was flown to hospital by air ambulance.

"Large sections of bone were missing from both legs. She has had, and remains to have, multiple operations. Her legs were placed in supporting callipers."

Her daughters managed to get out of the wreckage, but Emma had a broken collarbone and stomach injuries and Charlotte had a broken ankle and fractures to her foot and two fingers. She also had facial injuries.

"The accident caused the family severe difficulties, both mentally and financially," added the prosecutor.