This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/6168731.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Passenger cleared of fatal crash | Passenger cleared of fatal crash |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A car passenger did not cause a fatal car crash in which a fellow passenger died, by grabbing the steering wheel, a jury has decided. | A car passenger did not cause a fatal car crash in which a fellow passenger died, by grabbing the steering wheel, a jury has decided. |
| Alice Lewis, 20, was cleared of manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm at Swansea Crown Court. | Alice Lewis, 20, was cleared of manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm at Swansea Crown Court. |
| David Griffiths, 18, died and Leila Connolly, 23, had serious injuries when the Vauxhall Corsa hit a stone wall near Haverfordwest in November 2005. | David Griffiths, 18, died and Leila Connolly, 23, had serious injuries when the Vauxhall Corsa hit a stone wall near Haverfordwest in November 2005. |
| It was alleged that Ms Lewis grabbed the steering wheel for no reason. | It was alleged that Ms Lewis grabbed the steering wheel for no reason. |
| Ms Lewis was one of six people in the car, being driven by Philip Harvey in the early hours of 14 November last year. | Ms Lewis was one of six people in the car, being driven by Philip Harvey in the early hours of 14 November last year. |
| The court heard that accident investigators had found that Mr Harvey had not been drinking and was within the speed limit. | The court heard that accident investigators had found that Mr Harvey had not been drinking and was within the speed limit. |
| The jury was told that the car hit a stone wall on the unclassified road between the villages of Crundale and Clarbeston Road. | The jury was told that the car hit a stone wall on the unclassified road between the villages of Crundale and Clarbeston Road. |
| Mr Griffiths, a student, suffered severe internal injuries and had a cardiac arrest as he was being taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, where he was pronounced dead. | Mr Griffiths, a student, suffered severe internal injuries and had a cardiac arrest as he was being taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, where he was pronounced dead. |
| Ms Connolly had been sitting on Mr Griffiths' lap and the court heard that her survival was "nothing short of a miracle". | Ms Connolly had been sitting on Mr Griffiths' lap and the court heard that her survival was "nothing short of a miracle". |
| Ms Lewis repeatedly denied she had grabbed the steering wheel | Ms Lewis repeatedly denied she had grabbed the steering wheel |
| Ms Lewis repeatedly denied grabbing the steering wheel and said she did not see anyone else grab the wheel. | Ms Lewis repeatedly denied grabbing the steering wheel and said she did not see anyone else grab the wheel. |
| She told James Jenkins, defending, that moments after the crash Mr Harvey accused her of grabbing the wheel and then started shouting at her. | She told James Jenkins, defending, that moments after the crash Mr Harvey accused her of grabbing the wheel and then started shouting at her. |
| Under cross-examination from Geraint Walters, prosecuting, she admitted she had had a "fair amount to drink" that night and that she was "tipsy" but said it had not affected her judgement. | Under cross-examination from Geraint Walters, prosecuting, she admitted she had had a "fair amount to drink" that night and that she was "tipsy" but said it had not affected her judgement. |
| She confirmed that she told a police officer at the scene of the crash: "I can remember getting into the car but can't remember anything else. | She confirmed that she told a police officer at the scene of the crash: "I can remember getting into the car but can't remember anything else. |
| "I'd had half a bottle of vodka with a friend. I can't remember the accident at all." | "I'd had half a bottle of vodka with a friend. I can't remember the accident at all." |
| When asked again if she had grabbed the wheel, she said she had not touched it. | When asked again if she had grabbed the wheel, she said she had not touched it. |
| After the verdict, Judge John Diehl QC paid his own respects to thefamilies involved. | |
| "The court extends its condolences to the family of David Griffiths andexpresses its sympathy in the direction of Leila Connolly as well," he said. | |
| He added: "It is a tragedy from whatever prospect that you look at thiscase." |