Three males died in A48 head-on crash with lorry after driver took cocaine
An inquest into the deaths of three men in a Vale of Glamorgan crash has concluded that the driver was under the influence of cocaine when his car collided head-on with an HGV
Lawrence Howells, left, and Barrie John both died(Image: South Wales Police)
A motorist was under the influence of cocaine when he crashed, killing himself and his two passengers. Scott Jeffery, 34, sustained fatal injuries after his Ford Puma ploughed head-on into a lorry, with passengers Lawrence Howells, 51, and Barrie John, 48, also losing their lives.
The collision occurred just before 5pm on April 1 last year on the A48 near Bonvilston in the Vale of Glamorgan. An inquest has now determined that Mr Jeffery’s consumption of the Class A substance was a contributing factor in the tragedy.
Pontypridd coroner’s court heard how Mr Jeffery’s vehicle “collided head-on with a HGV coming in the opposite direction” on the A48. Coroner Rachel Knight ruled that Mr Jeffery’s death resulted from a road traffic collision contributed to by cocaine use, reports Wales Online.
Mr Jeffery was born in Pontypridd and was residing in Brackla, Bridgend, at the time of his death, where he was unemployed, the inquest was told.
Heartfelt tributes to Mr Howells, from Porthcawl, and Mr John, from Ferndale, were shared last year by their devastated families.
In a statement issued through South Wales Police, Mr John’s family said: “I have lost my son, the biggest pain out of the four of my children. It’s strange how the ones who cause the most trouble end up leaving the biggest mark on your heart.
“He was always the one to stir things up, constantly testing my patience with his cheeky antics. Yet he also had a knack for making me chuckle when I needed it most. His grin, the way he’d sneak about causing mayhem and then act as if nothing happened, made life with him unpredictable but never boring.
“Despite his troublesome ways, he injected so much vitality and laughter into everything. His energy was infectious. He was always cracking jokes, playing pranks. Now he’s gone and the silence is deafening.
“Losing him has left a void in my heart that nothing can fill. I keep expecting to hear his voice, to see his face, but all that remains are memories. The house feels more vacant without him, even though I know his spirit lingers in every corner, reminding me of the times he made us laugh or shake our heads in disbelief.
“Time moves on but the pain persists. Grief doesn’t fully heal; it just becomes something you learn to bear. I find myself longing to hear him grumble just one more time. Those little moments, his voice, his sense of humour, they’re what I miss the most.
“Though the grief is overwhelming, there’s still a glimmer of hope that his spirit endures in the love and memories we cherish.”
Mr Howells’ family stated: “As a family we are devastated and ask for time to grieve and process the loss of Lawrence. Sleep tight Law boy. Our thoughts also go out to other families affected by this tragic accident.”
