‘He didn’t just kill my mother, he ruined our lives as well’
THE family of an 80-yearold killed by a drug driver with 55 previous driving convictions have spoken of their heartache.
Great- great- grandmother Tydfil Jenkins was taking cake to a friend in Bethania Street, Maesteg, on January 10, 2017, when she was hit by a driver who had taken cocaine.
Ms Jenkins – described by her daughter as the “centre of the family” – suffered “catastrophic injuries” and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In February last year Alan Davies was jailed for four years after admitting causing death by careless driving and driving under the influence of drugs.
He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, without a licence and with no insurance.
Ms Jenkins’ heartbroken family have now spoken about the devastating loss as part of a new South Wales Police campaign to crack down on drink- and drug-driving.
Ms Jenkins’ daughter, Hayley Morgan, said: “That man didn’t just kill my mother, he ruined our lives.
“Our lives will never be the same.
“My mother was quite a character, what you saw is what you got.
“She was always out socialising with her friends, bingo was her favourite. ‘Naughty Nana’ is what the grandchildren called her.
“She just was the centre of the family.”
Ms Jenkins’ nephew, Jay, had been living at her home after his mother passed away, and Ms Morgan spoke about how his grandmother’s death affected him.
“Sadly my younger sister passed away a while ago, so she took over the role of helping look after my sister’s children because they had no mam any more,” she said.
“Suddenly I was thinking ‘what about Jay, my nephew?’ because he was living with my mother.
“I went to check he was OK. I said ‘it’s an accident, everything will be fine’.
“A little while later we found out it wasn’t an accident because [Davies] had failed the drug-drive test and my mum died because he hit her.
“The initial impact was, obviously, we were all devastated, but my nephew, Jay, he was homeless.”
Ms Jenkins’ two granddaughters, Stacey Morgan and Louise Forte, have also spoken out to warn others not to drink- or drug-drive.
Stacey Morgan said: “It was not only a shock but it was just horrific.
“When they said he’s failed the drug and drink test, there’s no word to describe what I felt.
“Not only had he chosen to drive without insurance or a licence, he had also taken drugs.
“She was ripped from us by someone who didn’t care.”
The four Welsh police forces – South Wales Police, Dyfed-Powys Police, Gwent Police and North Wales Police – have now joined forces for the next month to tackle drug- and drink-driving.
Led by South Wales Police, the campaign will see increased resources on the roads across Wales.
In the past 50 years the number of people injured on the road by drink- drivers has fallen dramatically, but there has been a sixfold increase in the number of people caught driving under the influ- ence of drugs in the UK.
Chief Superintendent Jonathan Edwards, of South Wales Police, said: “Driving under the influence is a crime with the potential of causing serious injury or death.
“As part of the campaign, officers will be stepping up their patrols, using a range of tactics and intelligence to take action against anyone who breaks the law.
“Using the latest technology, police forces are better equipped than ever before to detect someone they suspect of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“We hope to shine a light on the true impact of driving under the influence.
“The message is clear – driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs has life-changing and lifeending consequences.”
Deputy Chief Consta- ble for Gwent Police Pam Kelly added: “The lighter evenings and warmer weather are great reasons to get together with family and friends.
“We want people to enjoy themselves, but stay safe and responsible by not getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
“As part of this allWales campaign, officers will be patrolling the roads throughout the next month, carrying out road- side breath tests.
“Our officers also carry kits that can detect illegal drugs, making us more equipped than ever to take action against those who are putting themselves and the safety of others at risk.
“Think about what it could mean for you, just taking just one chance can have truly devastating consequences, not just for you, but for your loved ones and other road users.”