Teen Driver Jailed After Head-on Crash Left Victim in ICU

A teenage learner driver who was “showing off” to his mates has been jailed after causing a serious head-on collision that left his victim fighting for life in intensive care.

Tyrone Walsh, 18, from Gellideg, Rhydyfro, Pontardawe, was driving his Vauxhall Corsa erratically on the A4062 in Bridgend County on May 20 this year when he slammed into an oncoming car whilst driving on the wrong side of the road. The collision left the other driver with a partially collapsed lung, abnormally low blood pressure, and six broken ribs, requiring nine days in intensive care.

Swansea Crown Court heard Walsh only held a provisional licence and was over the drink-drive limit with 42mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. Cannabis was also found in his system and 2.4g of the drug was discovered in his pocket.

Just one month later, whilst on police bail, Walsh led officers on a dangerous late-night pursuit in a Peugeot Boxer van. He continued driving even after police deployed a “stinger” to puncture his tyres, with sparks flying from the wheel rims as he sped towards Neath. A kitchen knife was found in the van when he was eventually arrested.

David Singh, defending, said the offending was sadly typical of young men “showing off” to passengers and “driving in a certain way”. He noted Walsh had experienced a “difficult upbringing” and had been diagnosed with ADHD.

Recorder Aidan Eardley KC said: “It was evident from everything he had read that the defendant was immature for his age.” He added that whilst the sentence could have been suspended, “appropriate punishment could only be achieved in custody” and he had doubts about “a realistic prospect of rehabilitation for the defendant at the current time”.

Walsh was sentenced to 14 months detention in a young offenders’ institution and banned from driving for 34 months. He must pass an extended test before getting his licence back.