A 20-year-old man who lost control of his car and crashed head-on into another driver has been jailed.
Ethan Loveridge, from Llanbradach, Caerphilly county, seriously injured Martin Howells in the “horrific” crash in August 2024.
Howells, 50, suffered suffered eight broken ribs, a broken nose, a detached bicep, injury to his left shoulder and a rotator cuff, and nerve damage to his neck and shoulder. He was off work for 10 months.
Dashcam footage showed Loveridge’s Kia Sorento clip another car on the A468 in Caerphilly before hitting Howells’ car.
At Newport Crown Court, Loveridge admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and a string of drugs offences and jailed for five years.
“It was a horrific crash that has changed my life forever,” Howells said.
Loveridge’s car ended up on its side, while Howells remained injured inside his vehicle as passers-by attempted to help him.
In a victim personal statement read to the jury, Paul Hewitt, prosecuting, said: “It was a horrific crash and it changed my life forever.
“I had 18 months of physical therapy.
“My injuries left me with weakness in my arms and I am unable to lift anything above shoulder height, which I will live with for the rest of my life.”
He said difficulties with his fingers had prevented him from playing guitar, which he described as something he loved.
“I have been diagnosed with PTSD and underwent eight months of psychological therapy,” he said.
Howells said his grandson was born six weeks after the crash, but he was unable to fully enjoy his arrival because of his injuries.
He said he was unable to sleep properly and would wake during the night thinking about what could have happened.
