A huge gap will "never be filled" after a nan was killed just weeks before Christmas.
Frank Barrett's mum Sheila was on her way to visit a family member at a care home with her two sisters and her sister's husband - who was driving the car. But that evening, Frank's uncle had had a drink before getting behind the wheel, and crashed the car on the East Lancashire Road.
Despite best efforts, Sheila, 70, died from her injuries at the scene on December 6, 2018. Now, four years on, the family are still dealing with the devastating loss and issued an emotional plea.
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Frank, 54, from Kirkby, said: "As a family we are still devastated at the death and loss of our mum. At this time of year, the memories of losing her come flooding back, but we also miss her so much every day of the year."
He added: "There is a huge gap in our family that will never be filled, and we wish she could still be with us celebrating Christmas together as we always did. We still set a place for mum at the Christmas table and talk to her as if she is with us.
"We are trying to move on but I wanted to share our story to make people aware of the devastation that can be caused if you do get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol."
Following an investigation by Merseyside Police, the driver of the car Sheila was in, was charged with causing death by careless driving whilst unfit through drink. In October 2020, after pleading guilty, the driver was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and disqualified from driving for three years and three months.
The family, working with Knowsley Council, are reminding motorists of the dangers of drink driving. In an emotional video, Frank - who was out at a concert with his son that evening - has recalled the tragic memories.
He said: "On that day he knew he'd had a drink. He drove along East Lancs Road to the junction of Catchdale Moss which is a right turn. As they went across the traffic, he thought it was safe and unfortunately, it wasn't. They told me 'your mum was dead on impact'.
"She was the centre of our family, the best mum anyone could ever have. I know everybody says it but I never said it enough unfortunately to my mum over the years, but I say it now."
He added: "It's not what Christmas is about, the death of somebody, especially through drink driving. No-one should have that but his actions that day, having that drink and getting behind the wheel of the car, caused that death and that death is my mum and I have to live with that every day and he has to too."
Driving after you have drunk alcohol or taken drugs either straightaway or the next day can impair your ability to drive. You do not have to be over the legal limit to be unfit to drive.
Alcohol affects your judgement of speed, distance and time. It affects concentration and makes you feel relaxed, even lethargic and it may affect your vision, reflexes, and reactions.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, added: "Frank’s story is heart-breaking and shows the real dangers of driving under the influence and the lasting impact it can have on families. The figures released by Merseyside Police are shocking and show that more and more people are making the decision to get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of drink or drugs.
"Importantly, this includes people who are driving the morning after drinking – something which many people do over the festive period. Remember there is no safe limit. If you’re have a drink, don’t take the risk and make alternative arrangements."
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