### Cardiff Drink Driver Avoids Jail After Collision Causes ‘Catastrophic’ Injuries
A London man has avoided immediate imprisonment after a serious collision in Cardiff, which left an elderly couple with devastating injuries and nearly claimed the life of one victim. The driver, Chiedozie Obiareri, 45, admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving while exceeding the legal alcohol limit. The court heard that Obiareri, a resident of Tottenham, mistakenly perceived a single carriageway for a dual carriageway, leading to a head-on crash with tragic consequences.
The incident, described by the presiding judge as “a short piece of terrible driving”, unfolded late in the evening of 18 November 2023 on the A4232, Southern Way in Cardiff. Prosecutor Byron Broadstock explained to Newport Crown Court that Obiareri had ignored a solid white line dividing the carriageways and inadvertently drove his Mercedes Benz into the path of oncoming traffic. The Mercedes collided first with a Skoda carrying Hilda and Christopher Balmont—both in their seventies—and their eight-year-old granddaughter, before also hitting another vehicle, a Ford Fiesta.
The aftermath of the crash was harrowing. Mrs Balmont bore a raft of injuries including facial trauma, multiple fractures across her body, and collapsed lungs. A previously undiscovered foot fracture had also started to heal incorrectly by the time she pieced together what had happened. Her husband, Mr Balmont, fared even worse, requiring extraction from the wreckage. He endured broken bones, substantial internal injuries, and two collapsed lungs, spending almost a year in hospital undergoing surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation. The family were at one point braced for the worst news, as his situation remained critical for weeks.
During the sentencing, the emotional toll on the Balmont family was made clear. In a moving statement, Mrs Balmont described the ordeal as having “stolen our lives”, and recounted her struggle to carry out simple, everyday tasks. She noted a profound change in her husband, who now needs carers to visit their home three times a day, and the emotional scars left on their granddaughter, including persistent anxiety when travelling by car.
Obiareri, who had no prior convictions, was returning from London to Cardiff on the day of the crash, having briefly stopped for drinks with a friend. Following the collision, police measured his blood alcohol level at 48 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath—well above the legal limit of 35 micrograms. The prosecutor emphasised aggravating factors, including the presence of a child in the Balmonts’ car and the severe, long-lasting consequences for the family.
The driver’s defence, Laura Collier, stated that Obiareri accepted full responsibility, expressing that his actions were a result of misinterpreting road signs and markings. She described her client as remorseful and highlighted his previous positive contributions as a churchgoer, devoted father, and the sole carer for his elderly mother. Obiareri’s life had also been upended by the crash; previously employed as a personal trainer, he had since given up driving and now works at a local café, where he has also been volunteering.
Judge Celia Hughes opted to suspend Obiareri’s two-year sentence for two years, noting the lack of premeditation or malicious intent and acknowledging poor road signage as a potential contributing factor. However, she was unequivocal about the gravity of the incident, which she labelled “a tragic and almost fatal incident for the Balmonts”. In addition to the suspended sentence, Obiareri was banned from driving for three years and will have to pass an extended test to regain his licence.
The case highlights ongoing issues around driving under the influence, the dangers of even momentary lapses in concentration, and the heartache endured by families affected by serious road accidents. It also raises questions about clarity of road signage and whether more can be done to prevent such misjudgements in the future.
As Chiedozie Obiareri left court, the judge’s words resonated as both caution and warning: “You came extremely close to going straight to prison. I trust you will never come close to a courtroom again.” The experience is sure to have a life-altering impact on all those involved, serving as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching consequences of irresponsible driving.