Woman, 20, killed in horrific crash after cars raced at 80mph, court told
A20-YEAR-OLD woman died after the car she was travelling in was involved in a 80mph chase in a 30mph residential area, a court has heard.
Neil Brooks, 49, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court accused of causing death by dangerous driving that led to the death of Sophie Brimble.
He is also accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after Jay Bayliss was left with life-changing injuries following the crash. Brooks denies both charges. The court was told Ms Brimble, from Crickhowell, died as a result of
a crash that took place at around 12.20am on July 26, 2017, following an “impromptu” chase between drivers.
Ms Brimble had been a front seat passenger in a Volkswagon Polo driven by a man named Jay Bayliss.
The court was told it’s also alleged Mr Bayliss is held responsible for the death of Ms Brimble but, due to the severity of his injuries, may never be fit to appear in front of a jury.
Prior to the accident, they had been driving along the A4047, King Street, in the direction of Brynmawr.
The road is a single carriageway, with one lane in each direction, linking Ebbw Vale to Brynmawr.
Prosecuting, Matthew Cobbe said: “The speed limit along the particular section of road is 30mph. The section of A4047 is known as Beaufort Hill, turning into King Street, as it continues towards Brynmawr.
“It’s the prosecution case that Mr Bayliss was travelling way above the speed limit in the lead up to the collision. You will see that he had been driving at excessive speed through a residential area in excess of 80mph.”
The court heard it’s believed Mr Bayliss eventually lost control of the vehicle, causing his car to rotate and slide towards a lamppost.
Mr Cobbe said the result of this led to a “catastrophe”, causing Ms Brimble to die at the scene as a result of her injuries.
“It’s the prosecution case that Mr Bayliss is not solely responsible for the collision,” added Mr Cobbe.
“It’s the prosecution case that Mr Bayliss was driving at excessive speed because he had got himself into an impromptu race with the defendant.
“It started about half a mile before the point of the collision.”
As he drove Brooks is said to have found himself behind two cars – the car at the front he recognised as the vehicle belonging to Mr Bayliss and the car directly in front of him belonged to a man named Gareth Mapstone.
The route from Ebbw Vale took them towards a roundabuut known as Badminton Roundabout, before going up a road known locally as “the incline” which leads on to the A4047.
Mr Cobbe said: “It’s the prosecution case that aggressive driving by both Mr Bayliss and the defendant as they made their way up the incline deteriorated into the impromptu race that in turn caused the catastrophe.
“They both drove at high speed along that road.
“You will hear that they pushed their vehicles hard through this residential area, both of them reaching speeds of 80mph.”
Mr Cobbe explained the race took them to a section of residential housing that ends with a Murco garage on the left hand side, nearby where the defendant’s girlfriend lives.
It’s said Brooks, of Lansbury Terrace, Beaufort, had slowed down by the time he had reached the Murco garage, but he was still travelling close to 60mph in what was still a 30mph zone.
By this point Mr Cobbe said “the damage had been done”.
“He had played an important part in that race along the A4047,” added Mr Cobbe.
“Dangerously driving well above the speed limit, encouraging Mr Bayliss to do the same – the one driver was by his actions egging the other on.
“It’s the race that led to the collision that in turn led to the death of Ms Brimble.
“It’s the prosecution case that they share responsibility for her death; it’s the prosecution case that they both caused her death by dangerous driving.
“Mr Bayliss suffered life changing injuries as a result of the collision.
“He’s not fit to attend court and it’s likely he never will be.”
Gareth Mapstone and his passenger were said to be friends with Mr Bayliss.
Mr Cobbe said Gareth Mapstone considered him to be his best friend, and knew his girlfriend to be Sophie Brimble.
They had spent time together during the evening before after hanging out together at the car park at Kwik Save in Brynmawr before travelling to Ebbw Vale.
The trial continues.