Two learner drivers killed a young woman in a horror smash after motoring ‘side by side’ in a rival road race, court hears
- Ella Smith, 21, died in the wreckage sitting in the passenger seat in June 2021
- Jago Clarke and Emma Price, both 21, were spotted driving ‘competitively’
- Incident took place on the B4341 between Broad Haven and Haverfordwest
Published: 11:18, 14 December 2023 | Updated: 11:32, 14 December 2023
Two learner drivers killed a young woman in a horror smash after motoring ‘side by side’ in a rival road race, a court heard.
Swansea Crown Court heard how learner drivers Jago Clarke and Emma Price, both 21, were spotted driving ‘competitively’ just moments before the horrific crash in June 2021.
Care home worker Ella Smith, 21, died when she was caught in the wreckage, whilst sitting in the passenger seat of Clarke’s vehicle, shortly after arriving in the same car to pick him up following a day at the beach in Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire.
Clarke was allegedly seen sipping from a bottle of Budweiser and mixing vodka and Sourz before he got into the driver’s seat of Ella’s white Ford Ka, whilst Price drove a Citroen C1 down the B4341 between Broad Haven and Haverfordwest.
The court heard the pair were driving ‘competitively’ when Clarke lost control of the motor and crashed into an oncoming car, clipping the kerb before ‘twisting and turning’ onto the opposite carriageway and into the path of another oncoming vehicle.
Care home worker Ella Smith died when she was caught in the wreckage in the passenger seat of Clarke’s vehicle, shortly after arriving in the same car to pick him up following a day at the beach in Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire
The 21-year-old – described as ‘always bringing a bright ray of sunshine into our lives’ – was caught in the wreckage of a white Ford Ka
Prosecutor Jim Davis said: ‘Neither defendant should have been driving either vehicle at the time, as both only held provisional licences and were not being supervised.
‘It seems that Jago Clarke was bragging to everyone that he was going to drive Ella’s car and overtake everyone.’
The court heard friend Luis Heathfield warned Clarke not to take the wheel after he was ‘bragging’ about his driving and being ‘cocky.’
Mr Heathfield said he shouted: ‘Don’t be a f****** idiot’ when he saw Clarke get into the driver’s seat while Ella climbed into the passenger side.
Price’s blue Citroen was not involved in the crash – but she is said to be equally responsible due to her driving just moments earlier.
Friend Mr Heathfield said he looked in the mirrors of the car to see Price driving followed by Clarke.
He said that both cars were ‘swerving’ from side to side and believed Price was trying to stop Clarke from passing her before he crashed.
Mr Heathfield said there was a ‘loud bang’ and the Clarke ended up in the hedge on the wrong side of the road with Ella as a passenger.
Rowan Fair, who was in the oncoming Seat vehicle, said he saw two cars ‘side by side’ heading in his direction and travelling ‘very fast’.
He said he saw the white car hit the hedge and ‘fly back out’ across the road into his path – leaving no time to react.
Clarke was allegedly seen sipping from a bottle of Budweiser and mixing vodka and Sourz before he got into the driver’s seat of Ella’s white Ford Ka
Mr Fair’s partner Daisy Buck was a passenger in the car when she was left seriously injured in the head-on crash.
Giving evidence, Miss Buck said she could remember a ‘horrendous impact’ and seeing an open wound on her leg and thinking ‘it was not good’.
Clarke, of Hubberston, Milford Haven, denies causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He admitted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving – and admitted causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured.
Price, of Holloway, Haverfordwest, denies causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The trial continues.
References
- ^ Frankie Elliott (www.dailymail.co.uk)