11:30am Saturday 30th January 2010
By Helen Orrell
A TALENTED teacher was killed by a drunk-driver who ignored advice not to get behind the wheel.
Sarah Lee, 24, of Bergholt Road, Colchester, died when an Audi hit her her Ford Focus.
An inquest at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court recorded a verdict of unlawful killing. The hearing was told self-employed plant operator Matthew Anderson, 24, of Holbrook, Suffolk, who also died in the crash, was two-and-a-half times the legal limit when his Audi smashed into Miss Lee’s car in Manningtree Road, near Stutton.
Speaking after the inquest, her boyfriend, Richard Day said: “Over the past three years, we spent virtually every spare moment together. We loved each other, supported each other, and intended to spend our lives together.
“The trauma of the collision, and of seeing Sarah trapped and dying in the wrecked car, will remain with me.”
Sarah died on December 5 last year, after Matthew Anderson crashed his Audi car into Sarah’s Ford Focus on a country lane. Mr Day was a passenger in Sarah’s car.
He added: “I am haunted by what I have seen: The image of Anderson’s face prior to the impact, of the noise of the crash, and of the realisation Sarah had died. In practical terms I have lost my home and much of my furniture now that, without Sarah, there is insufficient income to pay the rent. The puppy we owned has had to be rehomed. I loved her more than anything in the world, and the most wonderful thing was she felt exactly the same way and I knew it. She will never be replaced, but will live on through all of our memories and our actions.”
Sarah’s parents, Barbara and David, of Woodbridge, Suffolk, said: “Sarah brought such joy to everyone who knew her.
“The scale of our loss is matched only by the deep love and admiration we felt for her.
“She was inspirational in her commitment to environmental and humanitarian issues, and was a constant source of personal support to us. The thought we shall not have the pleasure and company of this wonderful daughter throughout our remaining years is hard to bear.”
More than 300 people attended a special memorial service for Sarah at Framlingham Church.
A website, www.sarahcatherinelee.com, has been set up in her memory.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/trade_directory/