Teenager denies fatal A483 crash after dangerous overtaking

Lucas Trevor Jones, 19, of Robin Square, Maesyrhandir, Newtown, went on trial before Judge Simon Mills at Mold Crown Court on Monday (September 14) after denying causing the death of 68-year-old Michael John Day by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Joseph Oosby and Macey Jones near Pool Quay on October 11, 2025.

He also denies dangerous driving on the A458 near Welshpool on July 21, 2025, and perverting the course of justice.

Opening the prosecution case on Monday, September 14, David Mainstone told jurors: "The allegation is that the defendant has been filmed driving a car dangerously, overtaking repeatedly on double white lines.

"Then less than three months later, exactly the same thing, this time with fatal tragic consequences."

The prosecutor said the first incident happened on the A458 between Welshpool and Trewern on July 21, when motorist Gemma Oldfield became concerned by the manner of driving of a silver Skoda Fabia.

The A458 near the railway crossing outside Welshpool, where prosecutors allege Lucas Jones carried out a series of dangerous overtaking manoeuvres in July 2025. (Image: Google)

Mr Mainstone said she watched the Skoda carry out a succession of overtaking manoeuvres despite oncoming traffic, bends in the road and double white lines.

"In the course of one-and-a-half miles, in less than two minutes, there were four dangerous overtaking manoeuvres," he said.

The court heard police later sent notices requiring the driver to be identified.

Mr Mainstone said Jones initially failed to respond before naming a man called Matthew Sampson, from Birmingham, as the driver.

Jurors were told police inquiries found no trace of anyone of that name living at that address.

Jones later submitted forms identifying himself as the driver before giving a different account during a voluntary police interview, the court heard.

The prosecution say this amounted to an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Turning to the fatal collision on October 11, Mr Mainstone told the jury that Samantha Barker had been driving on the A483 near Pool Quay behind a Range Rover when she became aware of a Volkswagen approaching quickly from behind.

"The vehicle was a Volkswagen which came close to the rear of the Audi. The driver was the defendant," he said.

"Miss Barker states that the vehicle definitely didn't leave a two-second gap between the cars.

"It was clear to Miss Barker that the Volkswagen couldn't wait to overtake her."

Mr Mainstone said Jones pulled out to overtake on solid white lines, while an approaching Mini driven by Mr Day.

Mold Crown Court, where Lucas Jones is standing trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. (Image: Anwen Parry)

"She knew the Mini would have no chance to react and the Volkswagen was too late to pull back as he had committed himself, with catastrophic consequences, to the driver of the Mini," he said.

The jury heard that after the collision Jones was found outside the Volkswagen "crying" and asking whether Mr Day was alive.

Prosecutor David Mainstone said witness Miss Barker saw other people attempting to resuscitate the Mini driver and told Jones: "It doesn't look like it."

Mr Day, from Llandrinio, died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination found he died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the collision.

Jurors heard that Macey Jones, who was in the front passenger seat of the Volkswagen, suffered a bleed on the brain and broken arms.

Rear-seat passenger Joseph Oosby suffered broken bones and a deep cut to his shin.

The prosecution said collision investigator Aled Thomas found the impact was so severe that the Mini and the Volkswagen became fused together in the southbound carriageway.

Mr Mainstone said the evidence would show the Mini remained in the correct lane while the Volkswagen had crossed onto the opposite side of the road.

The jury heard analysis of GPS data from Jones' mobile phone suggested the Volkswagen had been travelling at an average speed of more than 70mph in a 50mph limit shortly before the crash.

Jurors were also told Jones handed police two prepared statements during interviews after his arrest.

According to the prosecution, Jones claimed he had overtaken Samantha Barker before reaching the solid white lines, had been travelling within the speed limit, and alleged that Miss Barker had accelerated, preventing him from completing the manoeuvre sooner.

Mr Mainstone said Jones also stated he did not recall seeing the Mini's headlights before the collision and claimed that he and his passengers had been wearing seatbelts.

However, the prosecutor said other evidence the jury would hear contradicted those claims.

Summing up the crown's case, Mr Mainstone told jurors: "The prosecution's case is that the way the defendant drove on the 21st of July led to the inevitability of what happened next.

"The defendant was a car crash waiting to happen, and happen it did."

The trial continues.