Ambulance driver who killed two pensioners, including a patient, in head-on smash escapes jail - after claiming she blacked out at wheel

Published: 18:39, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 18:40, 5 August 2026 An ambulance driver who killed two pensioners, including a patient she was driving, in a crash has avoided jail after claiming she blacked out before losing control of the vehicle. The private ambulance driven by Julie Ijere, 60, veered into the opposite lane and hit a car on December 19, 2023. Great-grandfather Anthony Dawbarn, 93, from Newmarket, Suffolk, who was one of two patients in the rear of her ambulance and grandmother Jane Blampied, 70, of Stanton, Suffolk, who was driving the oncoming VW Golf were seriously injured. Both died two days later at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Ijere, Stowmarket, Suffolk, who was driving a patient transport ambulance operated by a private service, admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving at a previous hearing. The grandmother - who arrived at court wearing a face mask today - was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 30 months, and was banned from driving for five years by Recorder Mark Bishop. The defendant, who is currently using a wheelchair following a fall in February, was also ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work with a 15-day rehabilitation activity programme and told to pay a £500 victim surcharge, plus £187 in costs. A district judge at Ipswich Magistrates' Court had sent her for sentencing at crown court after warning at a hearing in June that she faced a possible jail sentence and his powers were insufficient. Grandmother Julie Ijere, 60, killed two after blacking out at the wheel of the private ambulance she was driving The court heard how the ambulance and the car involved had no defects and road conditions were good before the early evening crash on the B1506 road between Kentford and Newmarket. Ms Blampied was driving safely before the ambulance drifted across the road onto the eastbound carriageway. The VW Golf was heavily damaged and the ambulance tipped onto its side, prosecutor Richard White said. Ijere, who had been working on ambulances for six years, told a police officer at the scene she had blacked out for a couple of seconds, before feeling a bang. She had been prescribed an antidepressant called sertraline, Cambridge Crown Court was told, but there was no evidence of a recent dose. Recorder Bishop said her culpability would have been higher if she had been affected by the drug. Ijere, who has spent her life working in roles caring for people, had been taking the medicine since 2021. The court heard how motorists should not drive after taking sertraline for the first time or after a dose increase. Ijere turned up at court today wearing a face mask Law firm worker Jane Blampied, 70, pictured, and ambulance patient Anthony Dawbarn, 93, both died following the 'head-on' collision Ijere had rest days between December 14 and 17 and there was no evidence of excessive driving on the day of the incident or of her using a mobile phone before the impact. Jeremy Kendall, defending, said: 'This is a lady who is truly remorseful and she will have to live with the responsibility of this accident. 'Her life has involved looking after people, so she's found it very difficult to face the outside world. 'She felt okay to drive and she genuinely can't give an explanation for why this accident occurred.' Another elderly passenger was in the rear of the ambulance at the time, along with a colleague, Kerry Patten, who had shared the driving. Both suffered minor injuries in the crash. A victim impact statement, read by the prosecution on behalf of Ms Blampied's brother, Paul Sizeland, said her tragic death was deeply felt and mourned by family and friends. He said: 'Jane was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, and she has left a large hole in the heart of the family. 'Simon, her partner of 27 years, remains devastated as he has lost his true soulmate, who cared for him during what was ultimately a successful battle with cancer. Her passing has turned his life upside down.' A tribute to Ms Blampied from her daughter, Sara, said she was 'fighting until the end like the warrior that she is'. She and Mr Dawbarn both died in hospital two days after the crash Ms Blampied's three daughters' mental health had been affected, he added. A tribute from one daughter, Sara, at the time of her death said she was 'fighting until the end like the warrior that she is'.  Mr Dawbarn's son, Andrew, added in his statement: 'Our father was a family man who was kind, caring, supportive and compassionate. 'One of his greatest loves was animals and birds and he was a good artist. 'The hole he has left in our family can never be filled and he will never get to spend time with his grandchildren or great-grandchildren again because his life has been cruelly snuffed out.' Ijere will have to take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again. Detective Inspector Dave McCormack, of Suffolk Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'This has been a tragic case for the families of Jane Blampied and Anthony Dawbarn to deal with. 'It has taken a long time to be brought to court and I thank the families for their patience. Ijere, of Stowmarket, was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 30 months 'Julie Ijere has pleaded guilty and therefore taken responsibility, however, this still doesn't give the families the answer as to what caused the collision. This is understandably a cause of frustration for them. 'Drivers must fully recognise that they have a responsibility to other road users to drive safely, concentrate and be fit to drive at all times when they are behind the wheel. 'Sincere thanks should also be passed on to the members of public and emergency services for all efforts made to save the lives of the two victims on that terrible evening.'