A man from Mountain Ash has been jailed following a tragic incident in which he struck and killed a much-loved local grandmother as she returned home from a night at bingo. The driver, Dylan Edmunds, aged 27, admitted to causing death by careless driving before fleeing the scene and heading to a nearby pub.
The tragic event took place on the evening of 24 November 2022, on Church Street in Penrhiwceiber. Seventy-six-year-old Wendy Setterfield was making her way across the road near the junction with Winifred Street when Mr Edmunds, reversing his blue Ford Focus, failed to notice her presence. The court heard that she was hit and partially run over – a moment described as avoidable had greater care been exercised.
Edmunds, rather than remaining to assist or call for help, left the scene and was later found by police at the Jeffrey Arms pub, socialising with friends. Upon his arrest later that night, tests showed he had not been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident.
Ms Setterfield was well known within her community, fondly remembered by family as a sociable, caring, and charismatic figure. Describing the impact of the loss, her son Steven and granddaughter Anna each delivered moving statements during the sentencing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. Steven recounted the haunting moment he arrived at the scene to discover his mother’s body, saying he never expected to receive such news for decades to come. Anna, her only grandchild, expressed the family’s sense of injustice and pain, particularly in the knowledge that Edmunds appeared to continue with his normal life in the immediate aftermath.
According to evidence shared in court, Edmunds confessed to his mother that he had felt a “bump” and exited the vehicle to find someone lying on the ground. Despite this, he decided not to remain at the scene—a factor that has weighed heavily in the case.
The defence, represented by Hashim Salmman, told the court that Edmunds was tormented by remorse and deeply regretted his actions, particularly his decision to flee. He argued that Edmunds’ autism may have contributed to a panicked reaction, and stressed the incident was due to a brief lapse in attention during difficult conditions, rather than deliberate recklessness.
His Honour Judge James, who presided over the case, noted that while no sentence could ever restore the loss suffered by Mrs Setterfield’s family and friends, the law required a custodial penalty for such carelessness. He acknowledged Ms Setterfield’s active and independent lifestyle, and the community’s profound sorrow at her passing.
Edmunds, who is the father of two young children, was sentenced to 54 weeks in custody. In addition, he received a two-year driving ban as part of his punishment for the fatal collision. The judge reassured the family that their loved one would be remembered, and the defendant’s actions would carry lifelong consequences.
The loss of Wendy Setterfield has had a wide-reaching effect in Penrhiwceiber and beyond, with community members mourning the absence of someone described as both lively and generous in spirit. Her death serves as a sombre reminder of the dire responsibility borne by all on the roads, and the devastating outcomes that can result from a moment’s inattention.
As this case closes in the courts, the local area continues to remember Mrs Setterfield for her warmth and community spirit, even as loved ones seek to find closure in the wake of such an avoidable tragedy.