Speeding van driver fled scene of crash which left innocent man unconscious

Conway Road in Llandudno Junction
-Credit:Google Street View


A speeding van driver crashed his vehicle into another car before fleeing the scene. Orig Williams was seen travelling at speeds of up to 70mph through Llandudno Junction before his van was involved in a collision with another car.

The driver of the car was left badly injured, but Williams got out of his van and ran from the scene. Williams, 24, later handed himself in and admitted dangerous driving, a court heard.

A judge today sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. Caernarfon Crown Court heard Williams had been driving his Ford Transit van along Conway Road in Llandudno Junction at 9.30pm on April 4 last year.

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He was going at an excessive speed on the 20mph road and and going over the hazard lines. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here

Victim Callum Evans and his passenger were in a black Vauxhall Astra and on their way to buy takeaway food. Williams' van collided with the Astra's front off side and a parked BMW, said prosecutor Richard Edwards.

Mr Evans was knocked unconscious. He came round but passed out again due to the pain in his chest and right leg, said the prosecutor.

Witness Philip Bailey had come out of the Co-op and had seen the Transit van going down the hill at an estimated 70mph to 80mph. In a statement he said he thought: "What an idiot. He will crash if he's not careful."

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Then Mr Bailey heard the collision and saw Williams' van being driven away. The court heard Williams drove up a side street called Broad Street.

Prosecutor Mr Edwards said: "He stopped and got out. He left the driver's door open and made off." Police later found CCTV which showed two men returning to the defendant's garden.

Following the crash, emergency services were called, and Mr Evans was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd with a suspected fractured sternum and bruised ribs. Police contacted the works van's owner who confirmed that Williams worked for him.

Officers found the van's keys in Williams' garden. At 7am the following day Williams, of Conway Road, Llandudno, went to St Asaph custody suite and told police about the incident and that he had a headache.

He tested negative for drink and drugs, the court heard. He was arrested.

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In a statement victim Mr Evans said he had been in severe pain and has difficulty breathing. He lost his job due to his injuries and his relationship with his partner - who was in his car - ended.

He has flashbacks and is now terrified about getting into cars. The judge Her Honour Nicola Jones said it was a finely-balanced sentencing exercise.

Williams had been driving in an unsafe and aggressive manner and far in excess of the 20mph speed limit. But he had had "multiple traumas" in his own life and there were numerous references in his defence.

She said having the sentence hanging over Williams was punishment enough given his "fragile mental state". She also disqualified him from driving for 18 months and he must pass an extended retest.

Williams must do ten days of rehabilitation activity and 26 sessions of a cognitive skills programme.

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