Maserati driver given suspended sentence after killing woman in crash

A Maserati driver who killed a woman and seriously injured two others has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Ronald Dowling, 66, overtook a vehicle in heavy rain before aquaplaning, skidding across the carriageway and hitting Sharon Berry's car in the fatal crash at New Inn, Pontypool, on 26 October 2023.

His wife, Kim Dowling, was left paralysed, and passenger Jane Beedell also suffered extensive injuries.

Dowling, who previously pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by careless driving, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, suspended for two years.

On Tuesday, at Merthyr Crown Court, Judge Celia Hughes told him: "Your consequences should live with you for life."

The court heard Dowling, from Caerphilly, was driving with his wife and their lifelong friend, who they were taking to a hospital appointment, when the collision happened.

Despite wet and windy conditions, heavy rain and high levels of surface water, he was travelling at 76mph (122 km/h) just three seconds before the crash.

After aquaplaning, the defendant crashed into a stationary black Audi A3 driven by Sharon, who had pulled over because of the weather conditions.

She suffered catastrophic injuries and spent three months in hospital before her death in January 2024.

In a victim impact statement, her son Luke Berry, who is expecting a child, described the family's loss as immeasurable, saying his mother would never get the chance to meet her grandchild.

He said: "She was loving, caring and would do anything to make sure I was OK.

"My family will never be the same without her."

The court was also told Jane Beedell suffered multiple injuries in the crash, including chest and elbow injuries, bruising, wounds to her fingers, bleeding on the brain and multiple fractures to her ribs.

She was placed in an induced coma for weeks, and told the court the crash had left her struggling with "fear, anxiety and depression".

"I used to be confident, strong and an outgoing individual," she said, explaining how she now relies on family and friends for daily support and struggles with everyday tasks, finding it difficult to go out alone.

After 48 years working in the civil service, Jane said she had lost her job and now relied on benefits.

She said she was devastated by the changes to her life, adding: "I sometimes feel guilty I survived".

The court heard how Kim Dowling was left paralysed with a broken back and neck and unable to speak after her voice box was removed following the crash.

Mitigating, Dowling's barrister said the defendant felt "deep regret and remorse for the loss of life", along with "strong feelings of guilt and emotional distress".

The court heard that every time Dowling looked at his wife, he was reminded of what he had done.

The case was initially brought as dangerous driving, but the charges were later changed to careless driving, to which he pleaded guilty.

Dowling had previously been disqualified from driving for six months about 15 years ago after reaching 12 penalty points, the court heard.

However, he had no previous convictions despite years of long-distance driving for work and was described as a man of "good character" who was a full-time carer for his wife.

During the sentencing, Judge Hughes said Sharon Berry had suffered a "senseless death", adding that "no amount of sentence given to Dowling would bring her back".

Dowling was sentenced to 27 months in prison for causing death by careless driving and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving, suspended for two years.

He was also disqualified from driving for four years, ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid community work and pay £1,630 in prosecution costs.