Man, 27, passes away after crashing motorbike on A-road towards Newport
A 27-year-old man died after crashing his motorbike on an A-road towards Newport.
Jacob George James Parsons passed away on May 31, 2025, on the A40 southbound slip road from Raglan Junction onto the A449 towards Newport, having lost control of his motorcycle and colliding with the central reservation.
He died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.
Along with his father and friends, Jacob had travelled to Llandovery, North Wales for a four-day motorcycle trip. Advertisement Advertisement
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During the return journey, Jacob became separated from the other riders after communicating via headset that he intended to stop for a toilet break and would re-join them thereafter.
At 10.55am, Gwent Police were notified of a collision on the A40 southbound slip road from Raglan Junction onto the A449 southbound.
The evidence indicates that Jacob was negotiating a left-hand bend when his motorcycle slid onto its nearside and collided with the central reservation.
The front wheel became embedded in the barrier, causing the motorcycle to rotate, resulting in Jacob being dismounted.
His helmeted head struck a mounting post of the ARMCO barrier, and he came to rest a short distance away in lane two. Advertisement
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The collision occurred during daylight hours - the weather conditions were fine and overcast, and the road surface was dry.
The relevant section of carriageway was subject to a temporary speed limit of 50 mph, with an advisory maximum speed of 30 mph for the left-hand bend, both clearly signposted.
There is no evidence Jacob made contact with any other vehicle and no CCTV or dashcam footage of any mechanical defect that could have contributed to the collision.
Jacob's motorcycle was found in 4th gear, whereas the evidence indicates that 3rd gear would have been more appropriate for the severity of the bend.
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The use of 4th gear is consistent with the motorcycle straightening rather than following the curvature of the bend, leading to it travelling into the central reservation.
Independent witnesses described Jacob leaning in a manner suggesting an attempt to bring the motorcycle back around the bend.
Jacob's speed at the point of the collision was not determined.
Post-mortem examination identified a skull fracture and head and facial injuries consistent with the collision dynamics and with the damage sustained to his helmet.
Jacob held a full Category A2 motorcycle licence and a provisional Category A entitlement. Advertisement Advertisement
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His motorcycle, a Ducati Multistrada 1000S with a 992-cc engine, was not fitted with a restrictor kit and therefore exceeded the power limitations applicable to an A2 licence.
As such, he was riding otherwise than in accordance with the conditions of his licence. Evidence from Jacob's father confirms that Jacob was an experienced motorcyclist and had owned this motorcycle for three years.
The coroner concluded Jacob lost control of his motorcycle while negotiating a left-hand bend, resulting in a collision with the central reservation and fatal head injuries.
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