Ella Smith: Learner drivers guilty of killing passenger

Two 21-year-old learner drivers killed a passenger in a crash after driving dangerously and "competitively".

Jago Clarke and Emma Price were seen swerving their vehicles before Ella Smith's Ford Ka, which Clarke was driving, collided with another car.

Miss Smith, also 21, from Camrose, near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, died at the scene of the crash on 13 June 2021.

Both have been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Clarke, of Sunningdale Drive, Hubberston, Milford Haven, told the jury he had no memory of the crash after suffering a bleed on the brain, two collapsed lungs and being placed in a coma for two days.

The blue Citroen driven by Price, of Holloway, Haverfordwest, was not physically involved in the collision, but prosecutors argued she was equally responsible due to the manner of her driving.

The court heard that Ms Smith had met Clarke and Price at Broad Haven beach before the group set off towards Haverfordwest, with Clarke driving Ms Smith's Ford Ka.

As the group approached the village of Portfield Gate on the B4341, Clarke lost control on a bend and clipped the nearside verge before careering across the road and into the path of an oncoming Seat.

Miss Smith suffered catastrophic injuries in the collision and died at the scene.

The passenger in the Seat, Daisy Buck, was badly injured and had to undergo surgery.

Price, giving evidence in the trial, denied "racing" with Clarke on the day and denied positioning her Citroen in the road to stop Clarke from overtaking her.

The trial also heard evidence from Luis Heathfield, a friend who was driving a third car in the convoy ahead of Clarke and Price.

Mr Heathfield said Clarke, who he had seen drinking alcohol at the beach, was "bragging" about driving and being "cocky," and said he warned Clarke not to drive because it was "stupid."

He told the court that near to the crash site he could see in his rear view mirrors that both cars behind him were "swerving" and said he thought Price was trying to stop Clarke from passing her.

Mr Heathfield added that he then saw Clarke's car pull in to the left and clip the kerb before "twisting and turning" and crossing into the opposite carriageway into the path of the oncoming Seat.

Both Clarke and Price were found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by driving.

Price was also found guilty of causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured.

The pair will be sentenced on 19 January.