Woman, 23, killed in crash days before family found out she passed final exams | UK News

A 23-year-old who died in a three-vehicle crash on the A509 was three days away from finding out she’d passed the final exam of a five-year course.

The family of trainee chartered accountant Lucy Leahy have paid tribute to their ‘cherished daughter, sister, and partner’.

She had been behind the wheel of her Citroen on the evening of on November 24, driving back from her ‘dream job’ in Milton Keynes to the Northamptonshire town of Irthlingborough where she lived with her partner.

At around 6.30pm, a black Ford Ranger pick-up hit a silver Ford Mondeo between the villages of Bozeat and Wollaston.

The pick-up truck then hit Lucy’s car head-on, leaving her with fatal injuries.

She had been studying for half a decade to pass her tough final Chartered Accountancy exams, and her family had been preparing to celebrate her result.

But they learned she had succeeded in her ambition three days after her death.

Lucy’s mum Claire Shakespeare paid tribute on behalf of the rest of the family, including her twin sister and two older sisters, as well as her partner.

She said: ‘We are all devastated by this immense loss and kindly request privacy as we deeply mourn Lucy’s untimely departure and try to cope with the passing of our cherished daughter, sister, and partner.

‘Lucy was eagerly awaiting news that she had passed her final Chartered Accountancy exams. This significant accomplishment was confirmed just three days after she died.

‘We were enthusiastically anticipating celebrating this achievement, marking the end of Lucy’s challenging five-year journey to become a Chartered Accountant.’

Officers from Northamptonshire Police have urged anyone who may have witnessed or recorded dash-cam footage of the collision to get in touch.

Those who believe they may be able to help are asked to email CollisionAppeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting the reference 23000727871.

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