Gareth Davies’ Renault Clio was hit by Dale Groves as he overtook a lorry driving 25mph in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, and he managed to have one final conversation with his wife
A man dying at the side of the road after being hit by a careless driver overtaking a slow moving lorry down a busy road told his partner he was “sorry”.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Dale Groves’ white Ford Ka smashed into the side of 43-year-old Gareth Davies’ Renault Clio as Groves was overtaking a slow moving lorry close to a junction. The driver called an ambulance three times after the collision in April 2023 as paramedics arrived at the scene at 6.41am and Mr Davies was pronounced dead at the scene around 45 minutes later. His wife Sharon rushed to the scene of the crash after getting the “worst news imaginable” and arrived in time to be with her husband before he died.
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Proceedings were told Mr Davies said her shortly before passing away: “I can’t babe, I’m sorry.”
Groves, 30, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving, and was acquitted of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said: “By the time they reached the Biffa landfill site it seems the defendant, according to the prosecution, was determined to overtake both vehicles.
“What happened in reality was just as Mr Davies was turning right into the Biffa site across both lanes of the highway the defendant, at speed [and] travelling too close to the black car, drove right into the side of Mr Davies’ vehicle in the overtaking lane.
“After the collision the defendant did his best to help but by then of course it was too late.”
During his sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, a statement from Mrs Davies was read out. She said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
In mitigation, defence barrister Kevin Seal said Groves’ case did not involve excessive speed, alcohol, or drugs, WalesOnline reported. He said the defendant feels awful and doesn’t know how to apologise or express the enormity of the loss of Mr Davies’ family.
Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: “Gareth was a loving and loyal man who lived for his family and community and was a proud dad. Happy family milestones will always be marred by his absence.
“Your actions that morning have robbed Mr Davies and his family and friends of his future and their futures together.”
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.
