Drag queen killed in crash with lorry had drugs in his system

Gareth Stephenson, 35, was on a long drive back to Mid Wales from Manchester when he was killed in a crash

10:19, 29 Jun 2026Updated 10:19, 29 Jun 2026

Gareth Stephenson was killed in a crash on the A470 between Llanidloes and Llandinam in Powys(Image: Dyfed-Powys Police / Newtown and Llanidloes Police [Facebook])

A man killed in a crash whilst on a long drive back to Wales had drugs in his system, an inquest heard.

Pontypridd[1] Coroner's Court heard that Gareth Stephenson, 35, was on a 150-mile drive from Manchester to Mid-Wales when his Hyundai i10 collided with a lorry on the A470 between Llanidloes and Llandinam on January 26, 2025.

Gareth, described as someone who "lit up every room" with his smile, was well known in the Aberystwyth[2] LGBTQ+ community as a drag artist performing under the name Dynasty Blake.

The inquest heard Mr Stephenson had been travelling towards Aberystwyth when his vehicle clipped the kerb in wet conditions, causing him to lose control.The car veered into the path of oncoming traffic before being involved in a collision with a lorry and leaving the road.Gareth, a shop assistant from Aberystwyth, suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner's court heard post-mortem tests later found illicit drugs in his system which were "likely to have impaired his driving".

Area coroner Patricia Morgan recorded a conclusion of a road traffic collision while under the influence of drugs. The medical cause of death was given as multiple traumatic injuries.

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Paying tribute, Gareth's family said he "lit up every room with his infectiously sunny smile".They added: "Words can't describe how much pain this devastating loss has caused our family and will, undoubtedly, cause the people that Gareth has met throughout his life."Gareth lit up every room with his infectiously sunny smile and always knew how to make people laugh, whether that be through his love for singing, dancing and all things dramatic or just simply being himself."We know that Gareth was well-loved and will be missed by so many people."As a family we have been overwhelmed with the messages of support and love that we have received and take comfort knowing Gareth had such a big impact on so many people."We will miss Gareth every minute of every day.""Gareth will leave a big hole in our lives and we can't even begin to come to terms with his unexpected passing."Aberystwyth's LGBTQ+ community also paid tribute to Mr Stephenson, who performed as drag queen Dynasty Blake, describing him as someone with a "heart of gold" who would "do anything for anyone."

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References

1. ^ Pontypridd (www.walesonline.co.uk)
2. ^ Aberystwyth (www.walesonline.co.uk)
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