Drug driver jailed for killing woman near M1 in South Yorkshire
Jake Cooley has been sentenced after collision that claimed the life of 64-year-old Deborah Girgis
A 30-year-old man from Doncaster has been jailed for six years after killing a woman while driving under the influence of drugs near the M1 last year..
Jake Cooley was sentenced on December 19 after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
The collision happened on October 25 2024 at Haigh Roundabout near Junction 38 of the M1.
Cooley failed to negotiate a bend and collided head-on with a stationary Citroen DS3 driven by Deborah Girgis.
The impact pushed Deborah’s car across two lanes before it stopped on a grass verge.
Deborah, a 64-year-old mother, wife, and sister, was taken to hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Cooley tested positive for cannabis and cocaine at the scene, with subsequent blood tests revealing he was nearly six times over the cocaine limit.
Sergeant John Taylor, of South Yorkshire Police, said:
"My thoughts remain with everyone who loved Deborah, and while this sentencing brings a conclusion to securing justice for Deborah and her family, it does not end their grief."
"Poor decisions made by Cooley led to Deborah’s death. His selfish actions to get behind the wheel with drugs in his system and the lack of concentration cost Deborah her life."
In addition to his prison sentence, Cooley faces an eight-year driving ban and will have to complete an extended driving test at the end of his disqualification.