A DRUG driver killed her own diabetes assistance dog and left an elite gymnast with serious injuries after causing a "horror movie" crash in Colchester.

On Thursday, Tina Eaves, of Rosalind Close, Colchester, was sentenced in Colchester Magistrates’ Court for causing serious injury by careless driving and driving a car under the influence of drugs.

The court heard how Eaves, 48, had been driving her Ford Focus along Brinkley Grove in April 2023 when she drifted into the oncoming lane, hitting a car Polly Rawlins-Waumsley was driving in the opposite direction.

Both Eaves and Miss Rawlins-Waumsley were seriously injured in the crash which killed Eaves’ diabetes support dog.

Gazette: Banned – Tina Eaves will not be able to drive again until November 2026Banned – Tina Eaves will not be able to drive again until November 2026 (Image: Newsquest)

A victim statement read out by Natalie Roberts, prosecuting, told the court how the injuries resulted in long-term physical and psychological effects on the Miss Rawlins-Waumsley.

Miss Rawlins-Waumsley, now 23, was listed as an entrant under Colchester Gymnastics Club at the British Gymnastics Championships in 2018, and was a coach at the club.

Her victim statement read: “The crash felt like something out of a horror movie.

“Although I was relieved about leaving the hospital after nine days, I was extremely nervous about driving home.

“I know myself that it wasn’t my fault but I carry guilt about the death of the dog.”

Following the collision, Miss Rawlins-Waumsley had six stitches in her leg, bruising to her knee, shoulder, and pelvis, and whiplash to the neck.

“The worst was the emergency surgery due to a tear to my small bowel.”

She continued: “Training as a gymnastics coach was a dream job.

Gazette: Injury – both Tina Eaves and Polly Rawlins-Waumsley suffered serious injuries and were treated in hospitalInjury – both Tina Eaves and Polly Rawlins-Waumsley suffered serious injuries and were treated in hospital (Image: Newsquest)

“I feel I can’t give gymnasts what they deserve as a coach, making me feel like a failure.”

The court heard how Eaves, who appeared in a mobility scooter, had cocaine in her system and had been driving back from Colchester Hospital where she had been helping a friend.

Paul Baker, mitigating, said: “The drugs had not been taken by her that day, but clearly they were still in her system.”

Magistrates ordered Eaves to serve an 18-month community order, pay £379 in costs, and banned her from driving until November 2026.