Family’s heart-breaking plea after deadly Middletown smash
In a bid to highlight the dangers of the particular stretch of the A458, Dyfed-Powys Police have posted the video on YouTube showing how a driver overtook a service bus doing 42mph in a 50mph zone, ignoring the solid white-line and hidden-dip signs.
The driver, Matthew Parrott, 42, from Kerry, collided head-on with Margaret Lee, 87, of Middletown, in November 2023, and has been jailed for three years for causing her death by dangerous driving.
Following his sentencing, the force’s serious collision unit, along with Mrs Lee’s family, have raised concerns about the number of drivers who drive dangerously along the same stretch of road, raising fears of another major incident.
Sergeant Rob Hamer said: “This incident was a tragedy, resulting in the death of Margaret Lee, who had left her home to get her daily newspaper just minutes before the collision.
“There is no doubt that Matthew Parrott’s manner of driving was dangerous, conducting an overtake where there is not a full view of the road ahead.
“However, since this incident we have evidence to show that other drivers are conducting the same dangerous manoeuvre, overtaking while driving towards Shrewsbury, and we fear we will be called to another fatal or serious injury collision in the same location in the near future.”
Officers have carried out site visits at the location to consider whether the road layout is hazardous, this review is ongoing, and consultation is in progress with partner agencies.
Local county councillor, Amanda Jenner, has been leading the call for urgent safety measures on the road for several years, and Dyfed-Powys Police said they are are supportive of any changes to the road layout, however it has been determined that the biggest risk lies in the manner of people’s driving.
Sergeant Hamer added: “The main issue is that drivers are ignoring the warnings that have been put in place by the local authority – these include a 50mph speed limit, double solid white lines, warning signs for hidden dips, additional red warning paint on the floor, and grip dressing on the road surface – and are continuing to overtake dangerously.
“We urge people to consider the consequences of their actions on the road – take another look, and don’t consider any overtake until you know it’s safe.”
Mrs Lee’s family have echoed police concerns, calling on drivers to use caution to keep themselves and others safe.
“We urge people to drive carefully, particularly on this part of the road,” they said in a statement.
“We just don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”
WARNING: The family and police have released the video of the moment that the collision happened here - https://youtu.be/Oekuvct2GcY?feature=shared - but please be warned that it could be distressing.
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