Timeline to road tragedy

“IT all happened in a split second” – that is what witnesses said about a crash that killed a child and injured four adults.

From the day defendant Dean Collins passed his driving test until the “catastrophic” collision, its aftermath, and his trial at Cardiff Crown Court, this is how events unfolded. June 2015: Collins passed his driving test and held his licence for three months before the crash. Defence barrister Harry Baker confirmed his client had a clean licence before the crash. Sunday, September 13, 2015, 11.30am: Shane and Joanne Strevins left their home in Fairwater in their white Seat Ibiza and drove along Western Avenue from Ely towards Newport. 11.45am: Witness Jeffrey Richards told the court a man driving a grey Ford Focus undertook him near the University Hospital of Wales. 11.48am: Forensic collision investigator PC Carlo Vaquerizo confirmed the collision occurred at 11.48am:

- Collins “veered” on to the wrong side of the road about 100m after the junction between Western Avenue and Ely Road.

- His grey Ford Focus collided head on with Mr and Mrs Strevins’ Seat Ibiza.

- The cars rotated clockwise and a green Ford Focus collided with the back of the white Seat Ibiza. 11.59am: Ambulance crews arrived at the scene. Paramedic Christopher Green said Collins told him he was driving between 40mph and 50mph and accepted he was not wearing a seatbelt. 12.11pm: Five-year-old Joseph Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. September 23, 2015: A sample of Collins’ blood was sent to forensic toxicologist Emily Hollands, who found BZE – a by-product of cocaine. December 15, 2015: Collins was interviewed at Bridgend Police Station. April 5, 2017: His trial began. April 11, 2017: Collins is convicted of causing death by dangerous drving and four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.