Actress Amanda Mealing, best known for her role as Connie Beauchamp in Casualty and Holby City, has pleaded guilty to drug driving and driving without due care and attention after a serious car accident.
The 57-year-old veered off the road in her Mini and collided with another vehicle driven by nurse Mark Le Sage in Deeping St Nicholas, Lincolnshire. The crash, which occurred at 10:14 a.m., left Le Sage with life-altering injuries, preventing him from returning to his career as a theatre nurse.
According to court proceedings, Mealing had taken cocaine the night before and was found to have 18mcg of the substance in her blood—well above the legal limit of 10mcg. Additionally, her system contained nearly five times the permitted level of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
The accident left Mealing with a broken wrist, a broken clavicle, and a head injury. Le Sage described the moment of impact as an “explosion” that sent his car spinning. Trapped inside his vehicle with his foot stuck under the pedal, he had to be rescued by emergency responders.
Prosecutors revealed that a witness saw Mealing’s Mini suddenly swerve across the road before the crash. Investigations suggested that at the time, Mealing’s blood glucose levels were dangerously low, raising the possibility of a hypoglycemic attack contributing to the accident.
Le Sage, who also serves as a district councillor, has been left unable to play music in his local band or participate in water polo due to the lasting effects of the crash. He continues to suffer from vision, hearing, and motor skill impairments, along with recurring flashbacks.
In court, Mealing’s defense lawyer stated that she deeply regretted the incident, emphasizing that she does not regularly use drugs. Her brother had died of an overdose at the age of 18, and she admitted she “should have known better.” The crash came at a difficult time for the actress, as she was grieving the loss of her father and her dog.
Mealing was handed a 22-month driving ban and fined £485. Following the sentencing, Le Sage expressed relief that the legal process was over, stating that he was grateful for his family’s support during this difficult time.
For more updates on this story, follow London Pulse News.
