A dangerous driver caused multiple crashes on the Prince of Wales Bridge and left another motorist with life-threatening injuries. He carried on driving and cleaned his car to evade capture but was found driving under the influence of cannabis the next day.
Jody Evans, 46, was driving westbound on the M4 in a Ford Transit van while working for Fast UK Parcel Ltd on October 28, 2020, while his victim Justin Osborne, a delivery driver of 29 years, was travelling eastbound. Other motorists saw the defendant driving at speed while overtaking and undertaking other cars.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard Evans attempted to undertake a Citroen car in a small gap but it was clear to witnesses his Transit van was too big. Describing the collision prosecutor Julia Cox said: "He barged into the lane and crashed into [a motorist's] vehicle. He hit the front passenger side of the Citroen and caused it to crash into the central reservation.
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"The front bumper of the Citroen was flung into the eastbound carriageway and caused three vehicles, two small lorries and a van, to crash into each other as they tried to avoid the bumper. Mr Osborne recalled the van in front of him suddenly braking as a result of the debris from the westbound carriageway. Mr Osborne did everything he could to avoid the collision and slammed on his brakes but could do nothing and ended up colliding with the back of the van and the barrier on the bridge."
Evans was seen to drive off from the scene of the crash at speed having swerved back into the middle lane and in and out of traffic. One motorist said the defendant was going "a lot faster" than 70mph and he was later seen by a witness who described him looking like a "naughty schoolboy".
Mr Osborne was trapped in the van for more than an hour and described himself feeling "shocked, scared, and in extreme pain". He was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered injuries including a dislocated right hip, hip fractures, fibula fracture, irregularities with the aortic arch which required a stent, a kidney laceration, and rib fractures. The victim was said to have had "life-threatening" injuries and spent time in an intensive care unit.
By October 29 the collision had been reported to police and an officer saw the Transit van in George Street, Newport. They pulled over the vehicle and Evans was in the driver's seat. The defendant said he was "unaware" of a crash and claimed he had picked the van up from Gatwick that day. The officer looked at the van and saw it had been cleaned in an area where there were scratches and damage.
Evans, of Mission Court, Newport, was arrested and gave a "no comment" interview. He appeared to have glazed and bloodshot eyes and a blood test revealed he was under the influence of cannabis. The defendant later pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The court heard he had previous convictions for driving with excess alcohol, resisting a constable, battery, assaulting an emergency worker, racially-aggravated harassment, criminal damage, a public order offence, and burglary. He was previously disqualified from driving.
In a victim personal statement Mr Osborne said he still requires ongoing treatment for his injuries and has been referred to a psychologist. He also still suffers significant pain and mobility issues as he walks with a limp and the aid of a walking stick, which means he is unlikely to return to his employment as a delivery driver.
Mr Osborne said: "The fire brigade had to cut me out. I will never forget this... I thought I was going to die." He said he suffers with sleeplessness and flashbacks and described himself feeling "traumatised".
In mitigation Owen Williams said his client had served in the British Army, had lived in Thailand, and had children. He said the defendant was "devastated" about his actions and the injuries suffered by Mr Osborne. The barrister said Evans' life had "spiralled out of control" since the collision and he had begun using crack cocaine.
Sentencing, Recorder Christopher Felstead said it was "remarkable" more people weren't seriously injured as a result of the defendant's driving. he added: "Your driving created a substantial risk of danger. That would have been obvious and clear to you. You caused serious life-threatening injuries by your driving, you failed to stop, you attempted to avoid detention including cleaning your vehicle and failing to present yourself voluntarily to police."
Evans was sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for a total of 60 months.
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