Sharon Griffiths, the devastated partner of a motorist tragically killed in a crash, has spoken out about how a “massive mistake” has “destroyed our family”. She recounted the harrowing moment she and her sons “collapsed into each other in shock” after arriving at the scene on Fochriw Road, Merthyr Tydfil, where her partner lay dying on April 13, 2023.
Gareth Davies, aged 43, uttered the heartbreaking words, “I can’t babe, I’m sorry”, to Sharon as she tried to offer him comfort amidst the wreckage. Their sons later joined her by the roadside, where they received “the worst news imaginable”. The court was told during the trial at Cardiff Crown Court that Dale Groves, 30, was driving a white Ford Ka when it collided with the side of Mr Davies’ black Renault Clio. The collision occurred as Groves attempted to overtake at the junction near Biffa Waste Management in Trecatti.
Leading up to the tragic incident, a convoy of three vehicles was travelling along the road: an oil tank lorry led by professional driver Jamie Cummings at approximately 25mph, followed by Mr Davies’ Renault, and Groves’ Ford trailing behind. Although Cummings could not see Mr Davies’ car due to a blind spot, he reportedly witnessed Groves’ repeated attempts to overtake him.
During the trial at Newport Crown Court, prosecutor Ieuan Bennett described the tragic events, saying: “By the time they reached the Biffa landfill site it seems the defendant, according to the prosecution, was determined to overtake both vehicles…What happened in reality was just as Mr Davies was turning right into the Biffa site across both lanes of the highway the defendant, at speed [and] travelling too close to the black car, drove right into the side of Mr Davies’ vehicle in the overtaking lane…After the collision the defendant did his best to help but by then of course it was too late.”, reports Wales Online.
The court heard that Mr Davies had reduced his speed to between five and nine miles per hour to make the right turn into Biffa, while Groves was estimated to be driving at a speed of between 46 and 50mph. The legal speed limit on the road is 60mph. Groves made three calls to 999 following the crash, desperately seeking assistance. He recounted to the court how he was informed there could be a wait of “over three hours” for help.
A fire engine arrived first at the scene, with paramedics reaching from 6.41am. Mr Davies was declared dead at 7.25am. The defendant, residing on Alfred Street, Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil, admitted to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving and was cleared of the more severe accusation of causing death by dangerous driving.
Sharon Griffiths, the heartbroken partner of Mr Davies, shared an emotional testimony during the sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday regarding the tragic incident that took her beloved’s life. Recalling the dreadful day, she revealed: “I first found out Gareth had been in an accident when one of his colleagues contacted me that day. He stopped at the scene of the crash and stayed by his side. Gareth was conscious and able to communicate.”
Rushing to be with him, she said: “I left and rushed to the scene and was shocked by the sheer volume of emergency vehicles… Gareth was very distressed and was clearly in a lot of pain. I called out to him to let him know I was there to reassure and comfort him and get him to calm down so the firefighter could help him, but he said: ‘I can’t babe, I’m sorry’.” Describing the harrowing moments that followed, she continued: “He became quiet and lost consciousness. The firefighters performed CPR on him and started shouting where the ambulance was….”
The situation escalated as Sharon recounted: “Some time passed and the ambulance arrived and Gareth was worked on continuously. Things were getting frantic and the air ambulance and both my sons arrived within seconds of each other. It felt like hours but it was probably minutes.”
Lastly, she recounted the unbearable moment of loss: “I was approached by two people, a doctor and a police officer who told us the worst news imaginable. There was nothing else that could be done and Gareth had passed away. We collapsed into each other in shock, trying to keep each other standing up. Gareth was put into the back of an ambulance and we were allowed to spend time with him before he was transported to the hospital mortuary. A feeling of numbness and a false sense of reality followed in the weeks. We had to wait for the post mortem and felt helpless, we had no sense of purpose. There was no way to move forward as if everything had stopped.”
Ms Griffiths lamented that it took a whole year before they found out Groves would be prosecuted, which left them dangling without any answers. She recounted the trial as “heartbreaking”, facing the man responsible. She expressed her anguish: “The driver used the phrase ‘massive mistake’. His massive mistake has destroyed our family. Our lives are unrecognisable to what they were. Gareth’s life was taken and ours were ruined.”
Ms Griffiths fondly remembered Mr Davies as a man who “lived for his family” and was always willing to lend a hand. He was a fixture in the neighbourhood, known for his willingness to fix things and help others out. Detailing their personal history, she recounted how they met 20 years ago and went on to have two sons. They shared passions, like watching the Isle of Man TT and enjoying rugby together.
“The loss of Gareth has been profound, with each significant event underscoring the pain,” Ms Griffiths said. She spoke of the many experiences that Gareth missed, from major milestones to the everyday ones, and all the moments their sons can no longer share with their father.
“He would have been so proud of them both. The boys have been sentenced to a lifetime without their father and friend. Every day we wish he was here and they could talk to him…. His life was snatched away doing something as normal as going to work..We were a team, we shared everything and it’s now just me. I’m trying to split myself to be a loving supportive mother, to make sure we have everything we need and to make sure I have enough hours in work..Every plan is gone, our future is over, we spent 20 years together. He was it for me, Gareth truly was my other half, the other piece of me. I am slowly trying to find out what life without him will be like. My first and only priority will be our boys.”
In mitigation, defence barrister Kevin Seal stated that Groves’ case did not involve excessive speed, alcohol, or drugs. He said the defendant feels awful and doesn’t know how to apologise or express the enormity of the loss of Mr Davies’ family. It was mentioned that he is a father of two children.
Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: “Gareth was a loving and loyal man who lived for his family and community and was a proud dad. Happy family milestones will always be marred by his absence. Your actions that morning have robbed Mr Davies and his family and friends of his future and their futures together.” Groves was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment suspended for two years. He was ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work and disqualified from driving for five years.
