Drug-Driver Jailed After Fatal Head-On Crash on A26 in Ringmer

A drug-driver who caused a fatal head-on collision that killed a 28-year-old woman and seriously injured two others has been jailed for six years. Niall O’Malley, 30, was behind the wheel of a black Audi S3 when he veered onto the wrong side of the A26 at Ringmer shortly after 7.25pm on 26 May 2024. […]

A drug-driver who caused a fatal head-on collision that killed a 28-year-old woman and seriously injured two others has been jailed for six years.

Niall O’Malley, 30, was behind the wheel of a black Audi S3 when he veered onto the wrong side of the A26 at Ringmer shortly after 7.25pm on 26 May 2024. His vehicle collided head-on with a Peugeot 2008 carrying a couple from Uckfield.

The driver of the Peugeot, a 28-year-old woman, suffered catastrophic injuries and tragically died in hospital four days later. Her partner, aged 30, managed to escape the wreckage but sustained serious injuries.

O’Malley, of Nevill Road, Uckfield, also suffered serious injuries, as did his front-seat passenger, a 24-year-old woman from Uckfield.

A blood test taken from O’Malley while he was in hospital revealed 2.9 microgrammes of cannabis per litre of blood — above the legal limit of 2 microgrammes.

He was subsequently charged with causing death by careless driving while over the specified limit for cannabis, and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving. O’Malley pleaded guilty to all charges.

Appearing at Hove Crown Court on Friday, 28 November, he was sentenced to six years in prison and disqualified from driving for 89 months.

His Honour Judge Gold said the crash was the result of a “brief but avoidable distraction” that led O’Malley to cross into the opposing carriageway, causing “tragic” consequences. He confirmed that the sentence would have been eight years but was reduced due to the defendant’s early guilty plea.

Acting Detective Inspector Rob Baldwin, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said the case was another stark reminder that “drugs and driving do not mix”.

He added:

“No matter how competent a driver you think you may be, illegal drugs such as cannabis can significantly impair your ability to drive safely, and can stay in your system for much longer than alcohol does.

Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs is irresponsible enough, but it’s even more irresponsible to take other people in the car with you. Their life is effectively in your hands.”

He offered condolences to the family of the woman who died, praising the strength of all three victims and their families throughout the investigation.

Police say the case forms part of Operation Ohio, Sussex Police’s ongoing commitment to tackling dangerous driving.