A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to prison following a fatal car accident in Cwmbran that claimed the life of his long-term partner and inflicted life-changing injuries upon a five-year-old child. Jack Llewellyn, from Abergavenny, was described as having engaged in “utterly appalling” driving before the crash which took place on Greenforge Way on 30 March 2023.
The incident saw Llewellyn lose control of his black Skoda Octavia after attempting a series of dangerous overtaking manoeuvres. According to eyewitnesses, he weaved erratically through traffic before the vehicle spun out of control, colliding sideways with an oncoming Ford C-Max driven by a heavily pregnant woman. Her two sons, aged five and younger, were in the back seat. Tragically, the force of the impact caused severe damage to the Skoda’s passenger side, resulting in the death of Nicholas Page – Llewellyn’s front seat passenger and partner.
In a harrowing account delivered at Cardiff Crown Court, the mother of the injured five-year-old described the immediate aftermath. She recalled turning to see her son’s face severely lacerated and covered in blood, while her younger child suffered further minor injuries. Medical teams raced to the site, where they found Llewellyn critically injured and Nicholas Page unresponsive. Despite efforts, Page was declared dead at the scene.
The young boy was transported to hospital with a 12-to-15-centimetre wound across his forehead, with his mother later detailing the lasting psychological and physical trauma the family now faces. The scar, stretching the full width of his upper forehead, is expected to require ongoing care for the foreseeable future. She explained how her son’s self-confidence has been shattered by the injury, describing frequent nightmares, travel anxiety, and emotional distress that now affect the child and family daily.
Multiple witnesses recounted the moments before the crash. One driver described seeing Llewellyn’s car undertaking and overtaking multiple vehicles before losing control. Another believed Llewellyn may have been engaged in competitive driving with another car, though this claim was not substantiated in court.
During sentencing, the presiding judge, Simon Mills, expressed his deep concern after viewing dashcam footage of the collision, referring to the events as “utterly appalling.” He commended the emergency services for their swift actions in a scene he described as “horrific.” Judge Mills emphasised that no sentence could reverse the devastation or provide justice for the families affected.
In addition to the emotional devastation caused to the victims, the case also shone a light on the pain experienced by Nicholas Page’s family. Page’s stepmother, Julia Collins, conveyed the agony of his loss and the distress of knowing he and his estranged father never reconciled before the tragedy. Despite this, she found some solace in the knowledge that Nicholas spent his final moments with someone he loved.
Llewellyn himself survived the collision, though he suffered catastrophic injuries including a brain injury, a bruised heart, a torn lung, and fractures. His barrister argued that Llewellyn is unlikely to make a full recovery and will face lifelong physical limitations. Impassioned statements on his behalf described him as “devastated” and “truly remorseful” for the consequences of his actions.
Ultimately, Jack Llewellyn pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The court opted for a custodial sentence of six years, of which Llewellyn will be required to serve two-thirds before becoming eligible for release. A ten-year driving disqualification will begin upon his release.
This tragic case underscores the severe consequences of reckless driving – not only for victims but also for their families and the wider community. As Wales, like the rest of the UK, continues to grapple with road safety, this incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of caution and responsibility while behind the wheel.