Lexus driver jailed for causing crash on A470 at Brecon

Powys County Times

17 hours ago

A man from Brecon who caused a serious accident after he drove at excessive speed and in an erratic manner, has been jailed for 30 months.
Kody Cook crossed a junction on the A470 near Brecon and clipped another car, causing them both to spin out.
The driver of the other vehicle, Isabella George, suffered damage to her lung and spleen.
The 21-year-old, who has never held a full driving licence, had already admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and driving with no insurance when he was brought before the court two days after the incident.
Caitlyn Jones prosecuting explained how Cook had been driving his mother's Lexus on the afternoon of May 13.
She said he drove at speed "in excess" of the speed limit, swerved to the left and right, stopped in the middle of the road, failed to use his indicators, and was seen to be arguing with a passenger.
He continued to the junction of the B4602 and crossed the path of a Mini being driven by Ms George. The two vehicles clipped and spun, activating the airbags.
Cook fled the scene, shouting he was sorry. He was arrested by police shortly afterwards and did not comment in interview.
Ms Jones read out a victim impact statement from the victim, who was taken to hospital by ambulance.
It said: "At the time, I felt I was going to die. I have never been in an accident, and I never want to ever again.
"I have no control, and my life has been impacted by someone who didn't seem to care. Seeing this male standing in the road, shouting to his girlfriend he was sorry and going to phone his mum, but had no thought about me.
"I always thought that people would stay and check on each other. He didn't even come anywhere near my car. I couldn't believe that he hadn't thought about me and what he could have done to me - I could have died."
Paul Hewitt, defending, admitted it was "a highly dangerous manoeuvre" and it was "merciful" that Ms George did not suffer more serious injuries.
Explaining that Cook is already on recall in HMP Berwyn, he continued: "He accepts his fate today, there's no question about what is going to happen to him and he tells me that when he is released, he is going to go back to Exeter where he is from."
Mr Hewitt added: "He is a disqualified driver, he had no insurance, he should not have been driving that car, certainly should not have been driving in that manner."
Sentencing Cook to 30 months in prison for the dangerous driving offence, Judge Shoman Khan told him: "Even before the collision itself, that type of driving shows a disregard for the risks to other road users."
He continued: "You would have known, and a careful driver would have known, about the high level of care required to make this right turn. But you didn't show care.
"You turned and pulled into the path of Miss George; there was nothing she could do to avoid you, and the severity of the collision is clear."
Cook will also serve three months for driving while disqualified to run concurrently, and there was no separate penalty for the lack of insurance.
He was told he will serve one year in prison with the rest on licence, and he was disqualified from driving for six years and three months. He must complete an extended retest before he can drive.