‘I can’t really put into words how it’s affected me. I don’t have a best friend anymore; everything is more serious. I was scared to learn to drive. I’m still quite nervous about people on the road. I constantly worry about who’s next and if something bad will happen to others.’
The best friend of Jake Blease, who was killed in a drink-drive related collision, opens up to SERP about how the loss has affected her life, and why #FestiveFriend is an important campaign for young people to support.
Jake Blease, 25, died after the car he was in left Witham Road and was in collision with a tree at around 12.20am on September 25, 2021.
27-year-old Kane Gornall, of Flemming Way, Witham was arrested following the collision and subsequently pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday 4 April. He received a sentence of four years and eight months imprisonment and was also disqualified from driving for six years and four months.
Gornall had been driving at an average speed of 97mph with two friends after a night out when he crashed into a tree.
Meyrick Williams, prosecuting, told the court Gornall had been drinking, consuming four pints at a nearby pub earlier in the evening. He also admitted to witnesses and police after the crash he took cocaine.
Emma had known Jake for 10 years before the collision and recalls the moment she found out he’d died. She said:
“I was actually by my front door as I’d locked myself out as my 11-month-old had hidden my keys. I went onto Facebook while waiting for my mum and my whole Facebook homepage was flooded with the news. I hadn’t really been on my phone that day. It was like something out of a film. I read it as my mum pulled up and just fell to the floor. It was like the wind was knocked out of me.
“The night of the collision I was meant to go out with Jake, but I decided to stay in, under a blanket and get an early night. I missed a phone call from him. I wish I had either answered his phone call and met him or even got him to come to me. If I was with him, I would not have got in that car at all, and I know Jake wouldn’t have left me alone.”
When asked about how she felt about the latest anti-drink drive campaign from SERP she said:
“This campaign hit me hard because although it’s light-hearted, we have experienced the serious consequences of drink-driving. I will never get in a car with someone who’s even just had one drink. I never go out without a plan on how to get home safely. It’s so not worth the risk. We need everyone to talk more openly about drink-driving and I urge everyone to share the films and images on their social pages.
“If anyone is even slightly tempted to drink-drive I would say, don’t bother. It’s not worth the risk to you or anyone else who innocently gets caught up in it. It’s selfish and has a devastating effect on others. It’s not cool – if anything you look like an idiot, and no one will respect you.”
Emma was asked what she would say to Jake if she could. She added:
“I would say that I love him, and I really miss him. He’s missed so much since he left. I’d tell him no one is angry with him, and I would give anything for him to wind me up just once more. He really was the bestest friend I ever had, and I’d thank him for making me belly laugh more than anyone ever has.”
For more information on the Festive Friend campaign, please visit Be a #FestiveFriend – saferessexroads.org or follow @saferessexroads on social media.
