Car driver ‘panicked’ before she lost control

Mar 17 2008 by Liz Keen, South Wales Echo

ONE of two drivers accused jointly of causing a motorway death admitted yesterday that she had panicked seconds before her car went out of control.

But Natasha Hardacre, 23, claimed the cause of her reaction had been van driver Robert Veart, 41, coming too close behind her and suddenly overtaking.

She told Cardiff Crown Court: “I checked my mirror and he was behind me, then suddenly there was a wall of white alongside my car”.

The court has heard how her Renault Megane hit a crash barrier on her left as she and van driver Robert Veart entered the M4 from the slip road at Coryton on April 6 last year.

The car then went out of control, crossed three lanes and collided with a Nissan Micra which was travelling from London to the Gower.

Haulwyn Williams, 83, a backseat passenger in the Micra, died six days later from a heart attack brought on by his injuries.

Hardacre of Commercial Street, Aberbargoed, who was on her way to the McArthur Glen shopping park with her boyfriend and his small son, and father-of-three Veart, of Milverton Road, Llanrumney, who runs Veart Construction, both deny a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

In an unusual case, the prosecution alleges both caused Mr Williams death – Veart by driving in a ‘bullying’ fashion and Hardacre by panicking.

Defence barrister Kevin Seal accused Hardacre of trying to blame Veart for her mistakes, but she denied it, saying she had been driving normally until the van came so close.

She told prosecutor Marion Lewis she had been aware of it behind her at the lights at Coryton and had put her foot down on the slip road to try to put some space between them.

Marion Lewis alleged: “You panicked and steered sharply to the left, losing control”.

Hardacre said: “I panicked seeing the van so close but I don’t think I steered left. I just wanted to get out of the way.”

(proceeding)

liz.keen@mediawales.co.uk