Caerphilly Maserati driver banned after killing woman in crash
Sixty-six-year-old Ronald Dowling lost control in wet conditions on the A4042, crashing into 54 year old Sharon Berry's Audi in October 2023
A Caerphilly man has been banned from driving for four years after admitting causing the death of a woman and seriously injuring two others.
Ronald Dowling, of Salop Street, Caerphilly, appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday 13 October after previously pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.
Dowling, 66, was driving a grey Maserati Ghibli on the A4042, close to the Rechem roundabout between Cwmbran and Pontypool, Torfaen, when he lost control in wet conditions and collided with a black Audi at around 1.30pm on 26 October 2023.
The driver of the Audi, Sharon Berry, 54, from the Bridgend area, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she sadly later died.
Two women, from the Caerphilly area, both now aged 66, suffered serious injuries in the collision and were taken to hospital.
PC Spencer Clease, from The Collision Investigation Unit at Gwent Police, said:
“This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life and serious injuries to two others.
“I would like to thank all those who assisted in our investigation and offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sharon Berry.
“Our thoughts remain with Sharon’s family as they continue to rebuild their lives.
“Ronald Dowling did not drive to the required competent and careful driving standard and his poor driving in wet road conditions led to devastating consequences.
“The importance of driving carefully at all times in all conditions is never more poignant than in this case because careless driving ruins lives.
“This is a reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel – your responsibility isn’t just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you.”
Dowling also received a 27-month sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid community work.