A MOTHER is urging drivers to stay safe on the roads after her life was turned “upside down” by a drink driver who has been jailed for three years.

Nicole Musson (right), 33, from Ferndown, was driving home from Dorchester on the A31 on August 15 last year when her Volkswagen Jetta was hit head-on by an Audi A3 just prior to a bend in the road.

Her vehicle spun and was hit by a blue Ford Fiesta, which was travelling in her direction, as she attempted to remove her seatbelt.

An off-duty GP, who had been travelling in a car in front of Ms Musson, treated her at the side of the road before she was taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance.

The mother of three sustained fractures to three vertebrae, multiple ribs, her left elbow and right foot. She also suffered neck injuries, a deep laceration to her leg, cracked teeth and ongoing psychological difficulties.

Ms Musson instructed road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to represent her throughout the criminal case that followed.

On April 5, the driver of Audi which collided with her, Francois Jules Amy Le Gresley, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving.

Le Gresley, 28 and of Lynn Crescent in Fareham, was given a custodial sentence of three years, as well as a seven-year driving ban.

Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Musson said: “The accident has turned my life upside down and the criminal trial has been an incredibly difficult process.

“I feel that justice has been served. I just hope that lessons can be learned from what has happened and that this raises awareness about the devastating consequences of drink–driving on people’s lives.

“Thankfully, in my case, an off duty firefighter was also at the scene and treated me, and then by some miracle a paramedic who had just finished her long shift. They were both amazing and never left my side until I went off in the ambulance. I count my blessings that they were there.”

Lauren Haas, a injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Southampton office representing Ms Musson, said: “This was a life-changing crash and Nicole has been struggling greatly since the accident. She has three children, with the youngest being nine months, and her mother is also dependent on her.

“The serious injuries sustained by Nicole highlight the devastating consequences of drink-driving.

“It is notable that there is a small but persistent core of drink driving reoffenders and more needs to be done to cut out this irresponsible behaviour.”