Mother's 'deep grief' over daughter killed in crash

A mother has spoken of her "deep grief" after her newly married daughter was killed by a dangerous driver in a "senseless and tragic way".

Holly Lucas, 24, from Newmarket, Suffolk, was killed in a head-on collision on the A1303 near Cambridge in June 2022.

Last week, Iurie Ciumac, from Peterborough, was jailed for five years after admitting his involvement in the crash.

Ms Lucas's mother Charmain Sayers said in a statement, released through police, that the family could "now move forward" after it took "two years to finally have some justice".

The crash happened when Ciumac, 34, driving a silver Honda Accord, tried to turn right at the Little Wilbraham Road junction near Stow cum Quay, but collided head-on with Ms Lucas's blue Toyota Yaris. She died at the scene.

On 24 April at Peterborough Crown Court, Ciumac, of Copsewood, Werrington, was jailed for five years, having pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing.

In a statement, the victim's mother said: "Losing my beautiful daughter Holly, in such a senseless and tragic way, has left all who knew and loved her in deep grief.

"Holly was a vibrant and compassionate young woman, newly married, with a glowing future.

"It has taken nearly two years to finally have some justice and have some level of closure. We can now move forward and remember Holly for not how she died, but for how she lived."

Det Con Paddy Reeve, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: "Ciumac's dangerous driving has cruelly taken away Holly's future, so I am glad he is behind bars.

"This case should serve as a reminder to people to drive with care, as the dangers of not are clear to see."

Follow Cambridgeshire news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830