A newly qualified motorist who crashed his car into a crowded Pembrokeshire campsite, injuring three people, has narrowly avoided prison after a judge described the incident as having the potential to be “catastrophic”. The crash, which saw the driver’s vehicle roll over several tents—one of which was occupied by a baby—resulted in serious injuries but, by a stroke of luck, the infant escaped unharmed.
Jack Hale, 19, appeared at Swansea Crown Court this week to be sentenced for four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The court heard how, in August 2023, the then-17-year-old Hale had collected five friends and was travelling along the A487 towards Newgale beach. Described as “very recently licensed”, Hale’s inexperience behind the wheel and “light-hearted” attitude to speed ended abruptly when he lost control on a downhill bend near the beach.
Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court that just before 11pm, the Ford Fiesta carrying Hale and his friends struck a kerb and flipped onto its side, hurtling into an adjacent campsite. The speeding vehicle flattened several tents before coming to rest atop one in which a baby was sleeping. Miraculously, the baby was not injured, though three campers trapped beneath the wreckage required urgent medical attention.
Eyewitness accounts and evidence presented in court described the aftermath as chaotic, with fellow campers and a doctor present at the site rushing to the aid of the injured. Emergency services responded rapidly, transporting the casualties, which included two men and a woman from the campsite and a 17-year-old passenger from the car, to hospital. The injuries sustained ranged from fractured ribs and backbones to third-degree burns and a dislocated hip, with one victim suffering a ruptured bladder and fractured pelvis.
Analysis of CCTV footage ultimately showed that Hale was travelling at around 66mph as he descended towards the beach, only slowing as he entered the 30mph zone at the foot of the hill. Vehicle inspections later confirmed there were no mechanical faults to explain the incident, shifting the blame firmly onto driver error and recklessness.
Representing Hale, Dyfed Thomas pleaded with the court for leniency, highlighting Hale’s lack of previous convictions and genuine remorse for his actions. He noted that the incident was, regrettably, a common scenario of an inexperienced teenager failing to appreciate the potentially deadly consequences of unsafe driving. Thomas further added that Hale, shaken by the ordeal, was deeply unlikely to forget that night or ever repeat his mistake.
Presiding Judge Huw Rees condemned the teenager’s conduct, warning that lives could have been lost that evening. He remarked that the fact the baby was unharmed bordered on “miraculous” and commented on the ongoing psychological trauma suffered by those involved. Nonetheless, the judge recognised Hale’s remorse, maturity, and ambitions to serve as a mechanical engineer in the Royal Navy, determining it would be appropriate to suspend the custodial sentence.
As a consequence, Jack Hale received a 20-month term in a young offender institution, suspended for 18 months. The court also ordered him to complete a community-based rehabilitation course, perform 250 hours of unpaid work, and issued a two-year driving ban, stating he must pass an extended test before regaining his licence.
Following the verdict, Dyfed-Powys Police sergeant Sara John remarked on the long-lasting ramifications of the crash for its victims. She expressed hope that the court’s decision would both support those affected in moving forward and act as a stark warning to others regarding the potential devastation linked to dangerous driving.
Incidents such as this raise important questions about the adequacy of current road safety education for new drivers, with calls for greater awareness around the consequences of reckless behaviour behind the wheel. The judge’s decision in this case underscores the justice system’s emphasis on rehabilitation, particularly for young offenders who show remorse and the potential to learn from their mistakes.
The case stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly a momentary lapse in judgement on the road can bring about consequences that endure for years—for victims, drivers, and whole communities alike.