THE family of a woman killed when an HGV ploughed into her broken-down car said they have forgiven the driver after he was spared jail.

Jacqueline Welsh, 60, from Grays, died when her car was hit by a lorry driven by Trevor Jenkins in Dock Approach Road, Orsett, on Wednesday, July 27 last year.

She became trapped in the car and had to be released by Essex Fire Service. She was treated by paramedics and the air ambulance crew at the scene but sadly she later died.

Jenkins, 55, from Herne Bay, Kent, had been talking on his mobile phone using hands-free at the time of the accident.

He appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday and received a 20-month suspended sentence, four years’ disqualification from driving, 100 hours’ unpaid work and a probation order after pleading guilty to Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.

Senior Investigating officer PS Peter Swan said: “This is a tragic incident and sadly a reminder of what can happen if your concentration is not entirely on the road ahead.

“Drivers who are distracted, even momentarily, are an ongoing issue. Distractions include but are not limited to, using a mobile phone checking a Sat Nav or in car music system, any of which can reduce your forward facing vision and concentration.

“I would like to pay tribute to Jacqueline Welsh’s family who have shown remarkable understanding and forgiveness towards Mr Jenkins.”

In a moving tribute and incredible act of forgiveness, Jacqueline’s family, said: “On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, the lives of two families changed forever. We know the driver of the truck that killed Jacqueline did not leave home that day with the intention to cause the accident, but was only trying to earn his living.

“He was distracted for a short time and this has cost us the loss of mother, sister, cousin, friend and breadwinner, whose seat will forever be empty.

“We are a Christian family and know that healing starts with forgiveness.

“We have forgiven the driver and pray he forgives himself.”