Young woman's trip to the beach ended in tragedy because of 'cocky' learner drivers
20.12.2023 - 14:45
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A young woman tragically died during a trip to the beach due to the actions of two "cocky" and dangerous learner drivers. Jago Clarke and Emma Price were driving "competitively" and swerving their vehicles near Broad Haven beach in Pembrokeshire on June 13, 2021.
Clarke, 21, drove his white Ford Ka into the path of another car, causing a horror crash which claimed the life of his passenger, Ella Smith, also 21. Price's blue Citroen was not involved in the smash but prosecutors said she was equally responsible due to her driving, Wales Online reports.
Clarke and Price both denied causing death by dangerous driving at Swansea Crown Court. Today, however, jurors returned guilty verdicts for them both, causing pregnant Price to burst into tears in the dock.
Miss Smith, Clarke, and Price were part of a group of friends who met at Broad Haven beach to "chill". They left in a convoy of three vehicles - the Ford, the Citroen, and a Fiat Punto - with learner driver Clarke behind the wheel of Miss Smith's Ford Ka.
He lost control of the car on a bend when approaching Portfield Gate on the B4341, clipping the verge and careering across the road where it hit an oncoming Seat. Miss Smith died from her injuries at the scene, while Daisy Buck, the Seat passenger, had to go for surgery for her serious injuries.
Giving evidence, Price, 21, denied "racing" Clarke and also denied using her Citroen to block him from overtaking her. Clarke told the jury he suffered a bleed on the brain, two collapsed lungs, and was in a coma for two days after the crash, and that he did not remember the collision.
Luis Heathfield, a friend of the group, also gave evidence, telling the court that he saw Clarke drinking Budweiser beer and Sourz at the beach. Mr