A heartbroken family has described their devastation after a fatal car crash in Merthyr Tydfil, which claimed the life of 43-year-old Gareth Davies. The collision, which occurred on Fochriw Road on 13 April 2023, was the result of what has been characterised as a “massive mistake” by driver Dale Groves, who struck the side of Mr Davies’ vehicle while attempting a hazardous overtaking manoeuvre.
In an emotional statement read at Cardiff Crown Court, Sharon Griffiths, Mr Davies’ partner, painted a vivid picture of the tragic aftermath. She explained how she rushed to the roadside after receiving a call from one of Gareth’s colleagues, only to find a scene of chaos surrounded by emergency vehicles. Gareth, despite his injuries, was conscious for a time and able to speak with Sharon. In those final moments, his words were simple and heartbreaking: “I can’t babe, I’m sorry.”
The collision unfolded when Groves, driving a white Ford Ka, tried to overtake both a large oil tanker and Mr Davies’ black Renault Clio as the latter slowed to turn right into the Biffa site. Evidence presented in court indicated that while Mr Davies slowed to between five and nine miles per hour to complete the manoeuvre, Groves was travelling at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour – significantly faster than the vehicles he was overtaking, though still below the 60mph speed limit.
Following the collision, Groves reportedly made repeated calls to emergency services in a desperate bid for help. Despite the rapid arrival of a fire engine and paramedics, Mr Davies was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:25am. The family’s anguish was compounded by the time they spent waiting for further answers and the subsequent legal proceedings.
In court, Ms Griffiths spoke movingly of the family’s struggle to come to terms with their loss. She recounted how she, along with her two sons, collapsed in shock upon being told of Gareth’s death. “It felt like hours, but it was probably minutes,” she said, recalling those frantic moments as emergency workers battled in vain to save Gareth’s life. The family was given a brief period to say their farewells before Gareth was transported to the mortuary.
She further reflected on the profound change in her family’s life since the tragedy. “Our lives are unrecognisable to what they were,” she remarked. “Gareth’s life was taken and ours were ruined.” Ms Griffiths noted that Gareth was well-known in his community for his helpful nature and his devotion to his family, and that he especially enjoyed time spent watching rugby or attending motor race events with his sons.
It took a year for the family to learn that Dale Groves would be prosecuted, a delay which Sharon described as leaving them “without answers”. During the trial, Groves expressed remorse and acknowledged what he described as a “massive mistake”, though the court ultimately acquitted him of causing death by dangerous driving. He was, however, found guilty of causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving.
Defence barrister Kevin Seal highlighted that Groves was neither under the influence of alcohol nor driving at excessive speed. Nevertheless, Judge Daniel Williams stressed that Gareth’s absence would mar significant family milestones for years to come.
The court sentenced Dale Groves to a suspended 10-month prison term, along with 250 hours of unpaid community service. He was also disqualified from driving for five years. The sentence, while in line with legal guidelines, did little to mitigate the pain endured by the Davies family. Sharon Griffiths emphasised how her sons have been “sentenced to a lifetime without their father and friend”, expressing a grief that no legal proceeding could hope to remedy.
This case has served as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact that a single moment on the road can have, forever altering the lives of everyone involved. The Davies family now must navigate their future without a beloved partner and father, left only with memories and the task of rebuilding in the wake of one careless decision.