Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishA drunk driver who killed a woman who was on her way to celebrate landing her dream job has been jailed.Lucy Leahy, 23, died after Daniel Ward, 43, drunkenly ploughed his black Ford Ranger head-on into her red Citreon C1 on the A509 between Bozeat and Wollaston, Northamptonshire, at around 6.30pm on November 24, 2023.Ms Leahy had been driving home to celebrate with her partner Ryan and their close friends when Ward crossed the double white lines into the northbound carriageway and collided with her.Police arrested Ward at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, before he produced a roadside breath test of 54ug per 100ml, which saw him further charged for driving over the prescribed limit of alcohol.An investigation by Northamptonshire Police found the 43-year-old had been drinking at a restaurant prior to the fatal incident.After pleading guilty at Northampton Crown Court on December 19, 2024 – the one year anniversary of Ms Leahy’s funeral – Ward appeared at the same court today where he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.He was also disqualified from driving for seven years.During the sentencing hearing, Ms Leahy’s mother Claire told Ward her ‘heart is shattered’ after Ward killed her for ‘the sake of having a drink’. Drunk driver Daniel Ward (above) has been jailed for three years and four months after killing Lucy Leahy in November 2023 Lucy Leahy had been driving home to celebrate with her partner Ryan and their close friends when Ward crossed the double white lines into her carriageway and collided with her The collision took place on the A509 between Bozeat and Wollaston, Northamptonshire, at around 6.30pm on November 24She said: ‘There are no words that could ever come close to describing what you have put us through. The loss of a child is like no other pain, it’s forever life-altering. My heart is shattered.’The daily missing her isn’t the hardest part, it is accepting that she is never coming back and will never carry on being the amazing person she was. I will never again see her beautiful smile, hear her infectious laugh, hear her voice, or see her live her dreams.’Living life without Lucy is the hardest thing to do, no mother should ever have to walk this long painful road. You took her from us all and gave all of us a life sentence, for the sake of having a drink.’Ms Leahy’s father Daniel also told the drunk driver how he had robbed her daughter’s bright future from her.He said: ‘Just a few days after her passing, Lucy was to receive her degree in accountancy, a culmination of five years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. She poured her heart and soul into her studies, overcoming challenges with tremendous tenacity.’Yet, there was no celebration, no joyful gathering to honour her accomplishments, only the bitter sting of what could have been.’As we seek justice for Lucy, it is important to recognise that no matter the outcome of this case, it’s our family who will serve a life sentence.’Ms Leahy’s twin sister Katie paid an emotional tribute, saying: ‘Lucy was the embodiment of courage, determination, and strength. Her unwavering sense of right and wrong compelled her to stand up for the most vulnerable among us, often giving selflessly without ever seeking recognition. Ward appeared at Northampton Crown Court today where he was sentenced and told by Ms Leahy’s family how the incident has ruined their lives’As Lucy’s twin sister, I feel as though I have lost a part of my very identity. She was the other half of me, my closest confidante. We dreamed of growing old together, even planning our future bunk beds in a care home. Now, I face a lifetime without her.’Her partner Ryan added: ‘I’ve written this, not just to convey my own sorrow but to give a voice to Lucy – a kind, dedicated woman whose future was unjustly stolen from her.’On the day Lucy died, we were looking forward to a weekend of celebration. As I waited for her that night, I felt a growing excitement, even making sure to time the tea she asked for so it would be ready for her arrival.’Lucy’s life was full of purpose and promise, and she deserved to experience the future she had dreamed of. This tragic, preventable event not only took her life but shattered the life we had spent years working to build together.’Detective Constable Lee Norton of Northamptonshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: ‘No sentence will ever make up for the loss of Lucy Leahy – an intelligent, principled and kind-hearted young woman who meant the world to her partner, family and friends.’The beautiful words they wrote which were read out in court today show only a glimpse of the intense feelings of loss they still experience on a day-to-day basis. My thoughts remain with them and will long into the future.’Daniel Ward may be going to prison for just three years and four months, but he will have to live with the fact that his decision to drive drunk has led to a life sentence for Lucy’s family.’I hope this is a lesson to anyone else who drink drives. Look at the damage Daniel Ward has done and ask yourself, could you live with doing the same?’
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