Driver crashed car, narrowly missing riders and cyclists

A DRIVER lost control of his car and crashed off the road between horse-riders and a group of cyclists, miraculously avoiding both, a court heard.

- JASON EVANS

Kaelum Lane's car ended up on its roof in the middle of the road after driving up an embankment and rebounding off a wall. The 27-year-old tested positive for cocaine at the scene but then refused to provide a sample of blood for testing.

While police were investigating Lane for his driving, his phone number came up during an investigation into a drug-dealing operation spanning Swansea Bay.

Swansea Crown Court heard that at 9am on April 6 this year a police officer on mobile patrol on the A4242 old Neath Valley road passed horse-riders and a group of cyclists before pulling into a lay-by.

While the officer was parked up, he heard a loud exhaust noise and then saw a Seat Leon car speeding along the road towards where the officer had just seen the other road users. Concerned at the situation, the officer turned around and followed the Seat.

The court heard the officer found the Leon on its roof in the middle of the road. It had left the carriageway on a bend and driven up an embankment and into a wall before rebounding back on to the road. The crash happened in the gap between the people on horseback and the group of cyclists.

The court heard both the driver of the car, Lane, and his passenger got out of the vehicle and appeared dazed. The passenger told officers Lane's driving had been "scary and dangerous" and said both men were lucky to be alive.

Lane tested positive for cocaine at the roadside and was taken to Morriston Hospital for a checkup.