Tributes To Heathfield Teenager

The drivers who died following a collision on the B2102 at Cross-in-Hand, near Heathfield, on Tuesday night (October 30) have been named by police.

Jessica Christie-Sturges, 19, of Wayside Walk, Heathfield, died at the scene after her blue Ford Ka was in collision with a blue Fiat Multipla driven by Robert Poulton, 55, of Lime Way, Heathfield, who died from his injuries at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision, which happened at 8.50pm, or who may have seen either of the vehicles in the area in the time leading up to it, to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Walland.

The family of Jessica Christie-Sturges, 19, of Wayside Walk, Heathfield, who sadly died at the scene of a collision at Cross-in-Hand on Tuesday 30 October, have released the following tribute:
 
Jess was a fun loving 19 year old, who touched the hearts of so many. She was born in Sanderstead, Surrey and moved to Heathfield in 2004. Jess was a keen dancer, attaining many trophies in Irish Dancing. She enjoyed traveling the world on her many holidays, she used to be a member of the East Sussex woodwind orchestra, where she played the flute (grade 5). Jess was a member of the school netball team and a prefect a Heathfield Community College. At the weekends, she worked at Patisserie Valentin on Heathfield High Street and at Martlets Cattery, Halisham.
 
After completing her GCSE'S and AS levels, she attended Plumpton Agricultural College, where she studied for an Extended National Diploma in Animal Management, for which she attained the highest possible grade, distinction +, putting her in the top five students for her year.
 
Jess's life-long calling to her love of animals, led her to do volunteer work for Marine Conservation at AWF in Tenerife, August 2012. This led onto her working, full time, at Pets Corner, Uckfield and Tonbridge Wells.
 
As a family we are totally devastated, her death has not only affected us but also the many, many friends and colleagues that she had. We would like to thank all those who have face booked and sent cards, all of whom comment on her beauty, kindness and amazing smile.