Police warning as they release harrowing footage of crash that killed 43-year-old father
Police warning as they release harrowing footage of crash that killed 43-year-old father
Gareth Davies was killed by careless driver Dale Groves
Dale Groves ploughed into Gareth Davies' car as he took a right turn
(Image: Gwent Police )
Police have released harrowing footage of the moment a careless driver ploughed into the side of a car driven by a father-of-two on his way to work. Gareth Davies was fatally injured in the crash in Fochriw Road, Merthyr Tydfil, on April 13, 2023.
The 43-year-old's partner, Sharon Griffiths, rushed to the scene moments later. Gareth told her "I can't babe, I'm sorry", as she tried to comfort him at the scene. She was later joined by their sons at the side of the road as they were told "the worst news imaginable" - that her partner and the father of her children had been killed.
Sharon told Cardiff Crown Court how she and her sons "collapsed into each other in shock" after they rushed to the scene of the accident, where he lay dying.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Dale Groves, 30, white Ford Ka smashed into the side of Mr Davies' black Renault Clio as Groves attempted an overtaking manoeuvre at the junction with Biffa Waste Management in Trecatti.
In the short time leading up to the crash, a convoy of three vehicles formed travelling along the road comprising a large oil tank lorry at the front followed by Mr Davies' Renault in the middle and Groves' Ford at the back. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here
The oil tanker can be seen passing in the CCTV footage moments before the crash happened.
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Careless driving ruins lives
The tanker was driven by professional driver Jamie Cummings at around 25mph. Although Mr Cummings could not see Mr Davies' car in his mirrors, due to his blind spot, it was heard that he could see Groves' car "attempting to overtake him a number of times".
Gwent Police have released the footage with the permission of Mr Davies' family in a bid to remind motorists that "careless driving ruins lives".
Following the incident Groves called 999 on three occasions in an attempt to get help. On one occasion he told the court how Groves was told there could be a wait of 'over three hours'.
He said a fire engine was the first responder at the scene with paramedics arriving from 6.41am. Mr Davies was pronounced dead at 7.25am.
Dale Groves, of Alfred Street, Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving, and was acquitted of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Dale Groves outside Newport Crown Court
(Image: John Myers )
During his sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, a heartrending statement from Mr Davies' partner Sharon Griffiths was read out in which she spoke of her devastating loss.
She said: "I first found out Gareth had been in an accident when one of his colleagues contacted me that day. He stopped at the scene of the crash and stayed by his side. Gareth was conscious and able to communicate.
"I left and rushed to the scene and was shocked by the sheer volume of emergency vehicles... Gareth was very distressed and was clearly in a lot of pain. I called out to him to let him know I was there to reassure and comfort him and get him to calm down so the firefighter could help him, but he said: 'I can't babe, I'm sorry'.
"He became quiet and lost consciousness. The firefighters performed CPR on him and started shouting where the ambulance was....
"Some time passed and the ambulance arrived and Gareth was worked on continuously. Things were getting frantic and the air ambulance and both my sons arrived within seconds of each other. It felt like hours but it was probably minutes.
"I was approached by two people, a doctor and a police officer who told us the worst news imaginable. There was nothing else that could be done and Gareth had passed away. We collapsed into each other in shock, trying to keep each other standing up.
"Gareth was put into the back of an ambulance and we were allowed to spend time with him before he was transported to the hospital mortuary. A feeling of numbness and a false sense of reality followed in the weeks. We had to wait for the post mortem and felt helpless, we had no sense of purpose. There was no way to move forward as if everything had stopped."
Ms Griffiths said it took a year before they found Groves was going to be prosecuted and it felt like they had been left without answers. She described the trial as "heartbreaking" after coming face to face with the defendant.
She added: "The driver used the phrase 'massive mistake'. His massive mistake has destroyed our family. Our lives are unrecognisable to what they were. Gareth's life was taken and ours were ruined."
Groves was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work and disqualified from driving for five years.
Gwent Police confirmed the family has given permission for the footage above to be shared.
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