Husband died three months after wife was killed in crash

THE husband of a grandmother killed in a crash died just three months after her.

- PHILIP DEWEY

They were described as a “loving couple” by their family who went everywhere together.

Pauline Williams, 79, died in a collision between a Peugeot 3008, driven by Raymond Charles, 79, and the Ford Fusion she was traveling in through New Inn near Pontypool at 11.47am on August 7, 2023. She suffered a catastrophic head injury and was later pronounced dead in hospital.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard police received a report from an officer about a collision on the southbound carriageway of the A4042 and traffic had come to a standstill. It later transpired that Charles’ car had collided with the rear of the Ford Fusion driven by Brian Williams with his wife Pauline in the front passenger seat.

Mr Williams’ car had slowed down while approaching a roundabout but Charles failed to adjust his speed or brake, causing him to crash into the back of the victims’ car.

Mrs Williams suffered a fatal head injury which led to her going into cardiac arrest. She was taken to Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran where she was pronounced dead at 3.30pm.

As a result of his injuries, Mr Williams spent five weeks in hospital having suffered four broken ribs, burns to his forehead and arm, temporary loss of mobility in his leg and arms and pain to his hip, knee and shoulder.

Three months after Mrs Williams’ death, Mr Williams died of natural causes while undergoing surgery related to the removal of cancer from his kidney.

Charles, of The Woodlands, Talywain, near Pontypool, was interviewed and said he couldn't recall the cause of the collision and the vehicle appeared in front of him suddenly.