Grace Robinson, 20, and Macie Hall, 18, were riding in a Jaguar XKR sports car when the driver, Thomas Peggs, 32, ploughed into a tree and it caught fire in Gorefield, Cambridgeshire
A young woman whose life was “destroyed” in a horrific car crash has been left with survivor’s guilt after her friend died in the collision, her family have said.
The families of the two victims of the crash, which tragically killed young mother Grace Robinson, 20, and forever changed the life of Macie Hall, 18, are speaking out for the first time.
The two friends were trapped in a Jaguar XKR sports car which crashed into a tree and caught fire after the driver lost control in Gorefield, Cambs. It comes after a mum was left ‘traumatised’ after a dog walker pushes her in canal as she cycles to work.
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Mum-of-one Ms Robinson, from Wisbech, Cambs., sadly died as a result of her injuries, whilst Ms Hall suffered a traumatic brain injury that resulted in the loss of her independence.
Ms Hall’s stepmother says the “torturous” period that followed the February 2023 crash “consumed” the family’s lives.
The driver of the crashed Jaguar, Thomas Peggs, 32, was jailed for more than three years after admitting to causing both death and serious injury by careless driving.
The families of both young women have instructed serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support them and help Ms Hall access the specialist rehab she now requires.
Prior to the crash, Ms Hall worked as a carer, but is now cared for at home herself by dad Mathew Hall and stepmum Laura Byrne.
Ms Byrne said: “Friday 3rd February will forever be a date engraved in our memories.
“The horrors of that date, and the torturous days, weeks and months that followed, consume our lives.
“For the four weeks that we endured at the hospital’s critical care unit, we watched Macie’s lifeless body sleep, unaware if she would ever wake up again.”
Due to the nature of her injuries, Ms Hall has lost her independence and now relies heavily on others to meet her everyday personal needs.
She has poor mobility and is forced to use crutches and a wheelchair for long distances, and is at an increased risk of suffering seizures as a result of the traumatic brain injury she suffered.
Ms Hall’s family say her injuries have not only impacted her physically but have also had a profound effect on her cognitively and emotionally.
“When she was woken, it was to a brain and body she did not recognise,” Ms Byrne continued.
“Macie spent the longest of her hospital duration in a specialist neurology rehabilitation ward where she had to learn to adapt to her new body and its now limited abilities.
“We are incredibly proud of how far she has come in her recovery. Psychologically, this has also had a detrimental effect on Macie.
“Left with survivor’s guilt, grieving a dear friend who was a mummy as well as grieving for her own loss of life – Macie will never be the same again.
“Every driver should be held accountable for their own actions. This senseless act changed many paths forever.
“This could have and should have been prevented. The consequential impact on us as a family is colossal.
“Lives have been destroyed and futures taken from this devastation.”
The devastated family of young mum Ms Robinson, also a care home worker who lived with mum Karen Robinson, 58, and stepfather Mark Jennings, 60, paid tribute to the care home worker.
Her mum said her three-year-old son Tommy frequently talks about how much he misses his mum.
“When I was told Grace had been in an accident, I could tell just from the tone that she was in a really bad way.
“My stomach sank when I saw her in the hospital, and to be told she was brain-dead was nothing short of traumatic.
“We told Tommy a few days later, on the advice of the hospital, which completely broke my heart.
“Although I’m not sure he fully understands what happened, he tells people he wants to be a doctor when he grows up so he can make his mummy better.
“He talks about how he misses Grace and we make sure that he knows how much she loved him.
“To this day, I still can’t quite comprehend that we’ll never see her again. She had her whole life ahead of her and it was cut short in the cruellest way possible.
“I’d give anything to have Grace back, but I know that’s not possible. I just hope that by speaking out, I can make others think twice when they’re out on the roads.
“I wouldn’t want another family suffering the pain and grief we have.”
Kelly Lingard, one of the Irwin Mitchell serious injury experts representing the families, said the ‘tragic’ case highlighted the devastating consequences of a lack of road safety.
“This is a truly tragic case where a young mum has lost her life and her friend has been left with life-changing injuries,” she said.
“The past two years have been incredibly difficult for both Macie and Grace’s families as they attempt to come to terms with what happened and how their lives have changed following the crash.
“While we can’t change what they’ve been through, Macie is making progress with her recovery and we’re determined to ensure that she has access to the ongoing specialist support and treatment she continues to need.
“We’ll also continue to support Grace’s loved ones as best we can.
“This case acts as a stark reminder of the need for road users to stay safe at all times and highlights the devastating consequences innocent people can be left to face due to the careless actions of others.”
The driver of the car, Thomas Peggs, was also disqualified from driving for four years and ordered to undergo an extended retest.
