Death crash driver ‘not aware’ when he hit cyclist
ADRIVER who killed a popular chef when he ploughed into a group of cyclists was “not aware of what was going on” at the time of the crash.
Prosecutors allege Craig David Gough – who admitted causing the death of Jack Berry by dangerous driving – had not been conscious for around 15 seconds, travelling some 350m, while at the wheel of his white Skoda Octavia before the fatal crash.
Mr Berry, 26, who worked at the Bush Inn at St Hilary, near Cowbridge, died in the crash on the A48 between the Cowbridge bypass and Pentre Meyrick on October 28 last year.
The former soldier, who served with the British Army in Afghanistan, was training for a triathlon at the time of his death.
Yesterday Gough, 36, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
The defendant, who wore a white shirt and black trousers, spoke only to confirm his name, age, address, and nationality.
Defence barrister James Evans said it was put forward by the prosecution that Gough had “lost consciousness” or was “asleep” at the wheel and added his client accepted he was “not aware of what was going on”.
He said: “There is no suggestion of a telephone being involved or anything like that.”
Prosecutor John Warren said there was an “absence of consciousness” for 15 seconds over a distance of 350 metres.
He said: “The defendant has offered a number of explanations but none have satisfied the Crown as to why he didn’t see the three cyclists.”
Mr Warren added that the other two cyclists involved only received minor injuries.
The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Eleri Rees, accepted Mr Evans’ application for a pre-sentence report and adjourned Gough’s sentencing until September 14.
She told Gough he was now subject to an interim disqualification from driving and was not allowed to drive any vehicle of any description.
The defendant was also told to sleep every night at his home at Hilton Farm, Colwinston, Vale of Glamorgan, and to not leave the Vale of Glamorgan until his date of sentencing.
In a statement released shortly after his death, Mr Berry’s family described him as a “loving husband, son, brother, nephew, cousin, grandson and friend” who would be “sorely missed”.
They said: “Jack was born in RAF Wegberg, Germany, before spending his early childhood and schooldays in Abercarn.
“He was a keen sportsman, playing rugby and football for local clubs in Abercarn and Blackwood, as well as representing Cwmcarn High School.
“Despite achieving great success in his GCSEs, Jack had already made the decision to follow his parents into the British Army.
“He achieved great success on the sports field, where he again represented the AGC in a number of sports, although by now his real talent was shining through on the rugby field, where he played in the back row, displaying the positive attitude, steely determination and tireless work ethic that was to become the hallmark of his life.
“During his six years’ service Jack proudly served with B Coy, 2 Royal Welsh, including a tour of Afghanistan, where once again his positive mindset, sense of humour and infectious smile came to the fore.
“In 2014 Jack married Luisa and they were both happily enjoying married life in their home in Cardiff Bay.
“The last 12 months has seen Jack training and working as a chef at the Bush Inn, St Hilary, in Cowbridge, where he not only demonstrated a talent for cooking, but his uncanny knack of making friends across the generations and impacting everybody he encountered in a positive way.
“He died, just as he lived his whole life, with a smile on his face and doing the things he loved with the people he loved.”
Mr Berry’s family have set up the Jack Berry Fijian Foundation and work has started on building a school in the country in his memory.