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Mum dies of drug overdose, overwhelmed with guilt from drink-driving accident

A mother of six died from an overdose after she became overwhelmed with guilt following her crippling a marine in a drink driving accident.

UK woman Emma May, 34, was found dead by her 16-year-old daughter at her home in June last year.

But according to her family, Mrs May was trying to self-destruct in the year and a half following a horrific accident in January 2016, and had huge debts from a cocaine addiction, The Mirror reports.

But that cocaine addiction appears to have led to her taking her own life with a coroner concluding her death was drug-related.

Marine Tim Healy recovers in hospital and (right) Emma May. Source: SWNS/ Plymouth Herald WS
Marine Tim Healy recovers in hospital and (right) Emma May. Source: SWNS/ Plymouth Herald WS

Her mother, Janice Howarth, 57, said Mrs May was “a troubled girl” who was “hit hard” by the accident, which left Royal Marine Tim Healy unable to move properly.

Mrs May ploughed into the 25-year-old marine at more than 95km/h in Plymouth, Devon.

A court heard she lost control of her Vauxhall Zafira while driving to collect her kids from school after a boozy lunch, but she sped around a bend on the wrong side of the road on two wheels and smashed into Mr Healy’s car.

Mr Healy then had to be cut free from the wreckage and suffered multiple fractures to his forearm, foot and ankle.

Mr Healy was left crippled after the accident. Source: SWNS
Mr Healy was left crippled after the accident. Source: SWNS

He has since had complications from the surgery and is crippled while Ms May walked free from court with just a 20-month driving ban and a $768 fine.

Mrs May also admitted to drink driving.

Mr Healy criticised the ruling but Ms Howarth said her daughter was never the same after the crash.

"She definitely felt guilty [after the crash]," she said.

"I think it must've hit her how serious it was getting.

"At the time, she was on alcohol and I think she had issues and didn't know how to deal with them."

At an inquest in Plymouth, coroner Andrew Cox said Mrs May was in pain with back problems following the accident and needed painkillers, but also suffered from addiction.

Detective Constable Mat Johnson said, after hearing from Emma’s husband Paul, that she began to self-destruct.

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The inquest heard Mrs May stole her husband’s painkillers, told doctors her teenage daughter needed drugs and lied to her doctor that her mother had died in order to get her hands on more medication.

She also managed to con her doctor into giving her more medication than she needed.

Mr May said she also started using cocaine and racked up a $14,700 debt.

"One particular time when I knew there was a problem,” he said.

“I had 100 tablets and took 10 with me to work. Come Friday, they were not there.”

She was also unemployed and the inquest heard she would drink during the day.

Mrs May was found dead by daughter Abi at her Plymouth home on June 29, 2016.

If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14