A 90-year-old driver caused a fatal four-car collision on a busy dual carriageway after taking a wrong turn and travelling more than 450 metres in the wrong direction, an inquest has heard.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The deadly incident occurred on the A48 in Carmarthenshire between the Pont Abraham Roundabout and the Cross Hands Roundabout shortly after midday on Tuesday, 5 November 2024. John Howell Price, aged 90, was driving his Toyota when he pulled out of a junction near Cross Hands that serves a Welsh Water treatment plant.
Forensic collision investigator David Stacey told the inquest at Llanelli Town Hall that Mr Price turned right instead of left, entering lane two of the eastbound carriageway but travelling westbound. He continued for approximately 452 metres before a head-on collision with a Ford driven by 30-year-old solicitor Emily Thornton-Sandy.
Inquest Evidence and Aftermath
The impact caused both vehicles to become airborne before they were struck by other cars. A Renault and a BMW were damaged in these secondary impacts. Mr Price died at the scene. Mrs Thornton-Sandy was transported to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but succumbed to her injuries six days later on 11 November 2024. Her dog, Scout, who was in the car, also died.
Mr Stacey confirmed the road was dry, in good repair, and that glare was not a factor. He stated there was no evidence of braking from either vehicle prior to impact. The speedometer in Mr Price's Toyota was frozen at 43mph, while that in Mrs Thornton-Sandy's Ford showed 62mph; the road's limit is 70mph.
Questions Raised and Coroner's Conclusions
The inquest heard that Mr Price had been seen by a medic for an episode of syncope (fainting) just two days before the crash. It was also revealed that concerns about his eyesight had been raised with the DVLA in 2023 following a police report, but subsequent medical and eye tests did not provide sufficient evidence to revoke his licence.
Senior coroner Paul Bennett recorded formal conclusions of road traffic collision for both deaths. He noted it would be "pure speculation" to determine why Mr Price made the fatal manoeuvre. Mr Bennett referenced upcoming reforms to driving licence renewals for over-70s and said he would write to highway authorities about the junction involved.
In a heartfelt statement, Mrs Thornton-Sandy's husband, Stuart, said: "Emily lost her life and I lost my future." Her parents described the tragedy as "avoidable" and urged people to act on concerns about elderly relatives' driving. The court heard three people had benefited from organ donation following Mrs Thornton-Sandy's death.
