Actress Jessica Falkholt dies after Boxing Day crash

Former Home and Away actress Jessica Falkholt has died, three weeks after the horror Boxing Day crash that killed her parents and sister. A spokesperson from St George Hospital in Sydney confirmed the news on Wednesday morning, saying Jessica passed away at 10:20am.

“Jessica passed away from very serious injuries,” the spokesperson said. “The family have asked for privacy during this very difficult time.” Jessica’s life support was switched off last Thursday, one day after the funeral for her parents, Vivian, 60 and Lars, 69, and sister Annabelle, 21.

The Falkholts were injured when Craig Whitall crashed into the family’s car after leaving a methadone clinic. Whitall had previously been jailed for driving with a disqualified licence and was driving on P-plates after recently obtaining his licence again. The Australian reported that Whitall, a grandfather and father of two, was “well known” to police and had a long criminal history.

It is believed he had more than 60 offences to his name, with witnesses claiming that they saw Whitall’s white Toyota Prado drift to the opposite side of the road at least two times before he collided with the Falkholt family’s car.

The horror crash has prompted calls for changes to road laws, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing drivers will now be subject to roadside tests for cocaine, among a raft of new measures.

“Too many people and too many families have been left distraught over what should be a very happy time of the year,” Berejiklian said in Sydney on Tuesday. “People should not be taking illegal drugs and then getting behind the wheel.”

Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn confirmed cocaine would now be added to the list of drugs tested by the roadside, along with  cannabis, ecstasy and ice.

Are you sad to hear this news? Do you have a message for the Falkholt’s extended family?