Wife Instructs Specialist Lawyers After Car Swerves Onto Wrong Side Of The Road And Hits Their Vehicle

A widow has revealed how her family “has been ripped apart” after her husband died following a head-on crash during a weekend break. 

John and Debbie Evans, of Manselton, Swansea, were seriously injured when their car was hit by another vehicle on the A4189 in Claverdon, near Warwick. 

The couple were driving along Station Road towards Warwick town centre when a Peugeot 308 swerved into their path to avoid running into the back of another car waiting to turn right into Star Lane, Warwick Crown Court was told. 

John, had to be cut free from their Hyundai IX20 by firefighters. He suffered a number of serious injuries, including spinal fractures. The emergency services helped Debbie from the car.

Following the crash which happened on 14 January, 2023, Debbie was discharged from hospital. However, John, a former senior systems analyst and keen Swansea City fan, was kept in hospital due to the severity of his injuries. 

He underwent surgery on 19 January but died aged 60 the following day.  
 
John and Debbie had been married for 39 years and had a son and daughter Joel and Chloe aged 31 and 28. 

South Wales woman Debbie reveals impact of collision as she asks road accident lawyers for help

Following the crash, Debbie, who also suffered injuries in the collision, instructed specialist road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist rehabilitation and support she requires. 

Debbie said: “We were driving into Warwick for a look around. The next thing I remember was feeling a huge jolt and asking John what had happened. 

“John started panicking and saying he was dying. There was a lot of smoke in the car because the air bags had gone off and I remember I thought I was also dying because the pain was that bad.

“I remember someone coming to the side of the car to help and the emergency services arrived quickly.

“By that stage everything was a blur. I was very upset and panicking.  

“I knew John was in a bad way and I could hear in his voice he was frightened but nothing could prepare me for what was to come. Seeing him in hospital in those final few hours was awful. 

“It’s still too difficult to understand how one moment we were enjoying a weekend away and then the next our family had been ripped apart. 

“John was one of the good guys. He was an amazing husband and a wonderful dad. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him. 

“John was my everything and now that he’s gone there’s a huge void in my life that cannot be filled. 

“We should have had many more years together, but I feel I’ve been robbed of these because of the crash. All of us miss John and his kind and caring nature.

“I know nothing can ever make up for what’s happened. All I can hope for now is that by speaking out drivers realise the hurt and pain they can cause and why it’s so important everyone takes care on the roads.”

Debbie joins legal team in issuing road safety warning

Debbie, has now joined with her legal team in urging drivers to take care on the roads. 

It comes after the driver of the Peugoet 308 which crashed into the couple’s vehicle, was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court. They had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Laura Bailey is the specialist road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Debbie.

Expert Opinion

“Debbie and the rest of John’s family remain traumatised by his death and the circumstances surrounding it.

“Sadly, through our work we see too often the devastating consequences families can be left to face through the dangerous actions of others on the roads. Nothing highlights this more vividly than what happened to John.

“We continue to support Debbie to help her try to come to terms with her loss the best she can. However, we join her in urging all road users to take care at all times to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured.” Laura Bailey

The driver received a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also given an 18-month driving ban with an extended retest, 250 hours’ unpaid community work and a three-month curfew. The hearing took place on 5 July. 

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people affected by road collisions at our dedicated road traffic accident section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.