Tragedy struck in Loughor when Sharon Matthews, a beloved grandmother from Aberdare, lost her life in a heart-wrenching crash after being more than twice the drink-drive limit. Sharon, 61, had spent her evening at the Gateway caravan park in Llanelli, enjoying drinks with friends before deciding to drive. Tragically, she never made it home.
In a sombre recounting at the inquest, CCTV footage revealed her Ford Puma leaving the caravan site and crashing into a roundabout at Loughor Bridge, less than a mile away. Witness Leon Williams, who had been driving behind her, shared that Sharon’s car veered onto the grass verge and onto the wrong side of the road, putting herself and other drivers in danger.
The car eventually sped over the roundabout and collided with a sign before hitting a second roundabout, sending it airborne. Despite the immediate response from the Welsh Ambulance and Wales Air Ambulance, Sharon could not be saved, and she was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
A post-mortem confirmed her blood alcohol level was 174mg per 100ml, well above the UK’s legal limit of 80mg. Despite speculations about her driving speed, the coroner concluded it was likely around 48mph at the time of the crash.
Sharon’s family was adamant she would never intentionally endanger herself, especially as her grandchildren meant the world to her. This serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of drink-driving. Stay safe, everyone, and always think twice before getting behind the wheel. 🔗🕊️