A “GROGGY” young driver killed a dog walker on a pedestrian crossing after she became distracted talking about raccoons with her dad.
Megan Jones, 22, sobbed in court as she told the jury she didn’t see Julia Pritchard before she smashed into her on a “well lit” road.
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Megan Jones leaves Cardiff Crown Court during her trial, where she is charged with causing death by careless driving Credit: Media Wales
Julia Pritchard was walking with her dog when she was hit by the Citroen car Credit: WNS
Jones had flown back from a sunshine holiday to Florida the day before the crash and failed to see Miss Pritchard until she hit her windscreen, the court heard.
After the crash Jones got out of her car to discover 5ft 1ins Miss Pritchard lying on the floor, she dialled 999 and stayed with the victim.
CCTV footage from the early morning crash shows the victim leaving her home wearing shorts to take her dog for an early morning walk.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Jones was driving her lorry driver dad to work after landing from the “action packed” holiday the day before.
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Megan Jones repeatedly told the just ‘I didn’t see her’ Credit: Media Wales
Miss Jones says that despite paying attention to the road she simply did not see Miss Pritchard Credit: WNS
Jones denied she was “groggy” from travelling after she slept on the nine hour flight before sleeping between 9pm and 4.55am at home.
Prosecutor Josh Scouller said Miss Pritchard was hit on the “illuminated” crossing in Bridgend, South Wales, in September 2023.
Giving evidence, Jones claimed “shadows from the trees” had obstructed her view as she approached the crossing.
But Mr Scouller said it was “completely irrelevant” as they did not reach the crossing where Miss Pritchard was hit.
The court heard Jones was changing lanes after exiting a roundabout just seconds before she smashed into the victim.
She said: “It happened almost immediately. There was like a couple of seconds.”
Jones said: “Her clothing was very dark. She was very small. At first I thought it was a small child.”
The court heard Miss Pritchard died from her injuries five days later in hospital after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
Megan Jones was said to be talking about racoons with her dad Credit: WNS
Jones told police: ‘I was in complete and utter shock. Everything just happened so quickly’ Credit: WNS
Jones said: “I felt very upset and distressed that this lady had passed away.”
Jones claimed she did not see Miss Pritchard until she hit the windscreen of her Citreon car while driving her dad to the train station.
She sobbed as she repeatedly told the jury: “I didn’t see her.”
She said: “I was looking out of my windscreen. I was looking ahead of me. I didn’t see her.”
The court heard passenger Aled Jones had asked his daughter to drive him to the station and said she was “normal Megan” that morning.
He said: “She was bright, alert, excited. She was normal Megan.
“I remember seeing two bright green lights for the pedestrian crossing on green. The next thing I saw was a flash of blue and the windscreen coming in. That was it.”
Mr Jones said the pair had been having “general chit chat” before the car smashed into the victim.
He said: “We were talking about her trip to Florida. We were talking about racoons that she had seen. It was just general chit chat.”
Mr Scouller said: “I’m going to suggest to you that you are giving evidence to protect your daughter” – but Mr Jones replied: “No.”
The court heard Jones told police in interview that she was not distracted in any way – and data showed she had not been using her phone.
Mr Scouller said: “The issue is whether or not Miss Jones’ driving fell below that of a careful and competent driver.
“Miss Jones says that despite paying attention to the road she simply did not see Miss Pritchard.
“The Crown says that this cannot be true – had she been paying attention as she should have been she would have seen Miss Pritchard.
“It defies the facts and common sense to suggest that she could not have seen her until the moment of impact.”
A forensic collision investigator found damage on the driver’s side of the car due to impact with the victim.
Jones, of Sarn, Bridgend, pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
The trial, due to last three days, continues.
