Ballarat court hears of David and Emiliana Jennings’ ‘unbearable pain’ after Gong Gong crash caused by Melissa Jones

A Ballarat couple’s lives have been forever altered after a disqualified and drugged-up driver crashed into their car, leaving one victim with “relentless pain” from 13 surgeries.

A Ballarat man spent four months isolated in hospital, went under the knife 13 times — with more to come — and missed family events after a disqualified and drugged-up motorist smashed into his car.

On Wednesday, chef Melissa Jones, 48, faced Ballarat County Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury after the horror incident on June 14, 2021.

The crash forever changed the life of David and Emiliana Jennings, aged 75 and 55.

The court heard that at 9.10am on that day, Jones crossed over double white lines along Ballarat-Daylesford Rd in Gong Gong and crashed the right side of her car into the right side of a Mr Jennings’ vehicle, carrying his wife and two other passengers going in the other direction.

Both cars were doing about 80km/h.

Mr Jennings, had to be cut out of his car before being flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

He has since had 13 surgeries with more on the horizon.

Emiliana and David Jennings outside the Ballarat courts. The Jennings were victims in a crash at Gong Gong on June 14, 2021.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Jennings said he used to enjoy outings with friends, walks around Lake Wendouree, and assisting at a charity op shop through his church, which gave him “connection and purpose”.

Now he feels “relentless” pain and his movement is so restricted that he cannot return to his former habits.

He said he spent four months in hospital, including in the ICU with no visitors because of Covid.

“That isolation was devastating,” he said.

Afterwards, Mr Jennings had two months at home “completely dependent on others”.

“This incident has altered the course of my life in every possible way,” he said.

“ … More than four years have passed, yet every single day is shaped by the consequences of that moment.”

Emiliana Jennings, 55, as well as two other passengers, were picked up by ambulances and brought to Ballarat after the crash.

Ms Jennings said simple activities now caused her “unbearable pain” and that she had to give up a career she loved.

“Each day is a reminder of what was taken from me and what I now must endure,” Ms Jennings said.

Melissa Jones pleaded guilty to two charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury. Picture: Facebook

Jones’ car flipped and slid 30m down the road and a cyclist was knocked off his bike as a result of the collision.

The court heard Jones’ licence had been cancelled in late 2020 because of her failure to complete a drug behaviour change program, and methamphetamine was detected in her blood after the Gong Gong crash.

In a letter read to the court, Jones offered Mr and Ms Jennings her “profound and sincerest apologies” for her “stupid decision” the day of the crash.

She will be assessed for a community correction order and sentenced at a later date.

Outside court, Mr Jennings said he would be glad once the matter had concluded.

“I’d like to see her get some jail time given the state of our injuries and the effect that it’s had on us, on all our friends and that as well,” he said.

“They’ve had to put themselves out as well to accommodate us if we’re going out anywhere.

“We couldn’t get overseas to see [Ms Jennings’] mother, because she passed away.

“And we had a sister in Queensland that passed away, we couldn’t go up there for the funeral.”

Jones’ bail was extended.