THE WIDOW of a mum-of-five killed in a crash which was caused by the reckless driving of two men has spoken of the "life sentence" his family has been left with.

Former Bedford High School pupil Joanne Bailey-Collinge was driving on Bickershaw Lane in Wigan on April 20 when her VW Polo collided head-on with a Mercedes.

Joanne, 34, was taken to hospital but sadly died from her injuries.

Her husband Andrew, 30, suffered a broken arm and broke three ribs and his sternum while Joanne’s 13 year old daughter suffered serious injuries.

The couple’s four-year old sustained a broken collar bone in the crash.

Last week three men were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court in connection with Joanne's death.

READ > Men jailed after causing mum-of-five's death by dangerous driving

Andrew, of Leigh, who was married to Joanne for six years, said the few days ahead of the hearing were "some of the hardest in his life".

He said: "We all miss Joanne so much and it has been very difficult reliving the incident and everything that happened.

“She was the love of my life and such a great mum.

"We just can’t imagine our lives without her.

"The people responsible for Joanne’s death have left us with our own life sentence and my daughters now have to grow up without their mum."

Andrew hopes the case will make drivers think carefully about how they control their vehicles.

“While we know nothing will ever bring her back, we needed these answers and hope that lessons are learned from this incident," Andrew said.

"Motorists need to remember that the safety of themselves, other drivers and pedestrians should always be a key concern when they are on the road.

“I wouldn’t wish what we are going through on any other family and it is vital that the issues seen in this crash are never repeated in the future.”

After the tragedy Joanne’s family asked expert road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors to help access the specialist support and rehabilitation needed to overcome the ordeal and secure the future of Joanne’s children.

Legal expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Solicitors' Manchester office, Matthew Garson, who is representing Joanne’s family, said: “Andrew and the rest of the family have been heartbroken by Joanne’s death in such unnecessary circumstances. 

“The actions of the drivers involved in the collision are truly shocking and vividly highlight the terrible consequences innocent families can be left to face because of the selfish behaviour of other road users who think it is acceptable to break the law.

“Nothing can ever make up for what has happened.

"However, by speaking out Andrew and the rest of Joanne’s family hope that the anguish and pain they have been left to face acts as a warning so the number of people killed or badly injured on our roads reduces.

“We join the family in urging drivers to take care on the roads at all times.

"We will continue to support Andrew and the rest of the family at this incredibly distressing time as they try to come to terms with what happened as best they can.”