### Swansea Driver Causes Chaotic Crash in Drink-Driving Incident
A 20-year-old man has been jailed after his dangerous driving caused a dramatic crash in the Blaenymaes area of Swansea, resulting in significant vehicle damage and a near-miss involving a pedestrian. The reckless behaviour of Danail Angelov not only led to the destruction of vehicles but also left bystanders and passengers shaken.
The incident occurred around lunchtime on 22 April, when Angelov, behind the wheel of his uncle’s Fiat 500—taken without consent—attempted to overtake another car on Broughton Avenue. Witnesses described how the Fiat executed a hazardous overtaking move near the bend at Broughton Avenue’s junction with Blaenymaes Drive. In a split second, Angelov’s vehicle drove between a Ford Puma and a white Skoda taxi travelling in the opposite direction.
According to the account provided in Swansea Crown Court, Angelov’s Fiat clipped the Puma, causing the smaller vehicle to lift onto two wheels. It then collided with the side of the taxi. The impact forced the Ford Puma, which had a mother and son inside, off the road and into a garden wall. A pedestrian walking nearby narrowly avoided being struck as the car veered off the carriageway. Video footage from local CCTV later showed the Fiat skidding along the road on its side before righting itself and coming to a halt.
Following the crash, Angelov briefly interacted with people at the scene before getting back into the damaged Fiat and leaving the area. Police responded swiftly to reports from a charity shop on Ravenhill Road, where Angelov was later discovered in an agitated state. Members of the public inside the shop confronted him before officers arrived to detain him.
A search revealed Angelov had been drinking—officers found an empty bottle of tonic wine on his person. A breathalyser test administered shortly after his arrest showed a reading of 48 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Angelov declined to answer any police questions in a subsequent interview.
The consequences of the crash extended beyond mere property damage. While, fortunately, no serious injuries were reported among the occupants of the Ford Puma, the taxi—carrying a passenger at the time—was badly damaged, with repair costs approaching £6,500. The taxi driver suffered from both whiplash and concussion, highlighting the severe risks posed by reckless driving.
Danail Angelov appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to several offences, including aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, drink-driving, failing to stop after an accident, and driving without a valid licence. The court also heard of his previous convictions, notably a 30-month youth detention sentence for his involvement in a local drugs ring only the previous year. Troublingly, Angelov had been out on licence at the time of this crash.
During sentencing, Angelov’s defence counsel, Harry Dickens, explained that his client was remorseful for his actions, attributing his erratic behaviour to a series of personal difficulties. Dickens cited recent family conflict and challenging Home Office restrictions that left Angelov unable to work, study, or claim state benefits—circumstances that, in his view, contributed to Angelov’s excessive alcohol consumption and poor decisions.
Judge Catherine Richards described Angelov’s recent years as “a path of self-destruction”, highlighting the risk his actions posed to innocent road users. Noting his guilty plea, she issued a 14-month prison sentence, of which Angelov will serve up to 40 per cent in custody, with the rest served on licence in the community.
In addition to his custodial sentence, Angelov received a two-year driving ban, with an additional seven months added to account for his time in prison. Before being allowed to drive again, he must undergo and pass an extended driving test.
This case underscores the dangers of drink-driving and the tragic consequences it may have for those both inside and outside the vehicles involved. The swift action by witnesses and police assured that, despite the alarming scene captured on camera, further tragedy was avoided.