THE devastating effects of drink and drug driving have been outlined by a family which saw three generations seriously injured in a horror crash.

Beverley Rooker, 63, her daughter Joanne Haydon, 43, and granddaughter Ellena-Jane Haydon, 18, are still suffering the effects of a high-speed collision caused by a drink and drug driver who had taken cocaine and drunk alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Now, more than a year after David Hamblen’s car careered across the road into theirs in West Way in Bournemouth, Joanne has spoken out in a bid to deter others from drink and drug driving, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period.

The trio were on their way home from a night out at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on November 23 last year when the collision took place.

Bournemouth Echo: Three generations of a family were injured in a collision with a drink and drug driver in Bournemouth

Beverley suffered multiple fractures to three vertebrae and spent several months unable to walk upstairs or look after herself.

She has been unable to look after her elderly mother since the accident or to take care of her grandchildren. She has been told she will never be able to pick them up again.

Joanne was in a neck brace for months after fracturing vertebrae in her neck and broken ribs. She is now having counselling to help her to stop blaming herself for the accident because she was driving.

Both of their husbands are self-employed and rely on them for help with their businesses.

Ellena suffered a severe break to her collar bone which has left her with a five-inch scar which she describes as “ugly and disgusting”.

She missed two university interviews as a result of the crash but is now studying Adult Nursing in Liverpool.

Joanne, who lives in Ensbury Park, said: “I hope people will look at this and see what it has done to an entire family.

“If I knocked someone over when I was driving I would feel terrible if it was completely not my fault. If I had had a glass of wine I would not be able to live with myself. It is not worth the stress you would feel if it happened.

“Also, what would it do to your own family? Drink and drug drivers should not put their families through it either.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Hamblen, 36, of Pine Road, Bournemouth, admitted three offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court last month. He was jailed for 16 months.

He also pleaded guilty to drink driving and three offences of drug driving.

The court heard the crash happened on his birthday and he had been to the Bournemouth International Centre to see a martial arts show.

He had been drinking alcohol and had taken cocaine offered to him by a friend in the toilet.

Judge Brian Forster QC was told Hamblen had a blood alcohol level of 89mg – the legal limit is 80mg. He also had cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepiones in his system.

The court heard his car hit bollards in the middle of the road before colliding with the vehicle in which the three women were travelling.