Merthyr Man Jailed 5 Years for Fatal Dowlais Crash

A 32-year-old man from Merthyr Tydfil has been sentenced to five years and five months in prison for killing Catherine Bradford in a horrific crash in Dowlais. ⚖️

Alex Rickwood, of Wern Isaf, Dowlais, appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday after changing his pleas to guilty for causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving an uninsured vehicle, and fraudulently using a trade plate.

The fatal collision occurred on September 19, 2022, when Rickwood lost control of a MG ZR car on High Street, Dowlais. An eyewitness described his driving as “crazy fast” before he ploughed straight into 52-year-old Catherine Bradford, who was on the pavement at the time.

The mum of two was struck with such force that an eyewitness initially thought debris from the car was flying through the air, only to realise it was Catherine. A lamppost was also brought down in the collision. Despite immediate CPR from a member of the public and paramedics, including the Air Ambulance crew, Catherine was pronounced dead at the scene. 💔

Rickwood, a mechanic and qualified HGV driver, suffered only minor cuts and bruises, whilst his passenger – who told officers the car was being driven too fast – suffered a broken arm.

He has also been banned from driving for more than seven years.

Serious Collision Investigator, Detective Constable Matthew Jones, said: “Catherine’s family have been left utterly heartbroken by their loss and I hope today’s verdict somehow enables them to move on from this tragedy and they can begin to rebuild their lives.

“As a mechanic and a professional driver, Alex Rickwood should have known better. He was irresponsible and reckless and his actions that day changed the lives of many people, not least his own – he should take the considerable time he will spend in prison to reflect on the choices he made and the devastation they caused.

“A car in the wrong hands is a lethal weapon – sadly, this is often not appreciated enough until tragedy happens.”