Oakdale man jailed for eight years after killing grandmother while high on cocaine at the wheel

A company managing director was jailed yesterday for eight years and eight months at Cardiff Crown Court for killing a grandmother while sniffing cocaine at the wheel.

Ryan Reardon, 34, of Oakdale, drove “like a man possessed” as he took cocaine while speeding – and hit seven other vehicles before ploughing into Christine Rowe, 70.

Reardon was more than six times over the legal drug-drive limit as he skipped red lights, broke the speed limit and barged through other cars.

A court heard his trail of destruction ended as he hit Mrs Rowe’s car head-on, killing her and seriously injuring her husband, Brian, 80.

Prosecutor James Wilson said: “Reardon was driving on the wrong side of the road and at speed in his Ford Transit van.

“It was with such force it caused the rear of Mrs Rowe’s Vauxhall Zafira to lift off the ground.

“It was the culmination of prolonged, persistent driving by the defendant characterised by aggression and disregard for other road users.”

Reardon – managing director of his own air conditioning company – was in seven collisions with other vehicles in the lead-up to the crash.

He was driving at 59mph in a 30mph zone when he collided with Mrs Rowe’s car at 7pm on Monday June 5 this year in very wet weather conditions.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Reardon had driven approximately 12 miles before the smash on Chepstow Road, Newport.

Witnesses reported seeing Reardon tailgating and barging into other cars.

Despite being confronted by other drivers, managing director Reardon ignored them and continued on his rampage while high on cocaine.

Mr Wilson added: “One witness’ impression was that Reardon was racing.

“She saw him tailgating cars, weaving back and forth and overtaking at speeds of up to 50mph.”

Another witness said: “I have never seen any driving as bad or dangerous in my life.

“He was driving like a man possessed.”

Father-of-two Reardon ran off but was eventually caught and arrested by police later the same day.

Mr Rowe had to be cut out of the crushed car, and spent four weeks in hospital with multiple fractures to his ribs.

He also now suffers from short term memory loss, and his wife was his full time carer.

Reardon was jailed for eight years and eight months and was disqualified from driving for 14 years.

The court heard that he had previous convictions for dangerous driving and had been banned before getting his licence back in April this year.

Mr Wilson said: “His driving was aggravated further by consumption of cocaine, 6.5 times over the prescribed limit.

“He was consuming the drugs while driving.”

Mrs Rowe’s daughter-in-law Joanne Tracey said: “Christine loved all her children and grandchildren with a ferocity that is hard to explain.

“When we were in the hospital family room, I have never seen such pain, confusion, sadness and shock in one room.

“Christine cared full time for her husband Brian, who has asked several times where she is despite being told she is dead.”

Reardon admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop and possession of class A drugs.

Recorder of Cardiff Judge Eleri Rees said: “Your driving can only be described as appalling.

“You tailgated, undertook and drove at aggressive speeds causing drivers to take evasive action.

“You left a trail of damage and shocked drivers in your wake.

“No sentence this court passes can restore Mrs Rowe to her family or adequately reflect the loss or grief.”