Cwmbran Driver Jailed After Fatal Crash Kills Friend

A 29-year-old Cwmbran man has been jailed for more than four years after causing a fatal collision that resulted in the death of his friend. 🚨

Joshua Pearce received a sentence of four years and four months imprisonment at Newport Crown Court on Thursday 17 April after admitting to causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs. He has also been disqualified from driving for nine years and two months.

The incident occurred around 10:50pm on Sunday 23 April 2023 when Pearce lost control of his vehicle while driving along Cocker Avenue in Cwmbran. His front-seat passenger, 26-year-old Sam Bevan from Pontypool, was taken to hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Court documents revealed that Pearce fled the scene after the collision, leaving his gravely injured friend in the vehicle. Tests showed he was more than double the specified limit for cannabis.

Sergeant Shane Draper from Gwent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life. Pearce’s actions highlight the real dangers of irresponsible driving. The defendant drove carelessly at speed and lost control of the vehicle. After the collision, Pearce made off from the scene, leaving his friend gravely injured in the vehicle. The defendant was unfit to drive as a result of taking cannabis; he was more than double the specified limit for drug driving.”

He added: “Pearce’s failure to pay attention at all times and then drive while unfit through drugs has caused devastating consequences. The importance of driving carefully and to your ability is never more poignant than in this case. Impaired driving destroys lives. I would also like to thank all those who provided information to assist in our investigation, and offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sam Bevan. This is a reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel – your responsibility isn’t just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you.”