On a dry, overcast day in early November 2024, a devastating collision on the A48 dual carriageway in Carmarthenshire, Wales, claimed the lives of two people and a beloved pet, sending ripples of shock and sorrow through the local community and raising pressing questions about elderly driver safety and road design.
The crash, which occurred just after midday on November 5, involved 90-year-old John Howell Price and 30-year-old solicitor Emily Thornton-Sandy. According to detailed inquest reports from BBC News, WalesOnline, and the Daily Mail, Mr. Price was driving his Toyota when he pulled out of a junction near Cross Hands—a turnoff providing access to a Welsh Water sewage treatment plant. Instead of turning left as directed by clear signage, Mr. Price turned right and began driving west in lane two of the eastbound carriageway, traveling the wrong way for more than 450 meters (about 1,476 feet).
Witnesses and investigators confirmed that Mr. Price’s Toyota collided head-on with Mrs. Thornton-Sandy’s Ford. The impact was so severe that both vehicles became airborne before being struck by a Renault and a BMW in the aftermath. The speedometer in Mr. Price’s Toyota froze at 43 mph (69 km/h), and the Ford’s stopped at 62 mph (99 km/h), both under the posted 70 mph (112 km/h) speed limit. Dashcam and CCTV footage, including images from a nearby business, captured the wrong-way driving and the catastrophic collision, as reported by WalesOnline.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but Mr. Price died at the scene from multiple injuries. Mrs. Thornton-Sandy was transported to Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales, where she succumbed to her injuries—tension pneumothorax and traumatic brain injury—six days later, on November 11. Tragically, her dog Scout, who was in the car with her, also perished in the crash.
The inquest, held at Llanelli Town Hall on December 3, 2025, brought to light the harrowing details of the incident and the events leading up to it. Forensic collision investigator David Stacey of Dyfed-Powys Police explained that there were no signs of emergency braking from either vehicle, nor any evidence of alcohol, drugs, or mobile phone use by either driver. Both Mr. Price and Mrs. Thornton-Sandy were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The road surface was found to be in good repair, and the weather was not considered a contributing factor. “There is a sign directing traffic to turn left as you leave the junction,” Mr. Stacey emphasized, adding, “any glare from the sun was, in my opinion, not an issue.”
One detail that emerged during the hearings was that two days prior to the crash, Mr. Price had experienced an episode of syncope—a temporary loss of consciousness or fainting—and was seen by a medic at home. However, no medical reason was found that would have prevented him from driving. This point was underscored by the fact that in 2023, concerns about Mr. Price’s eyesight had been reported to the DVLA by Dyfed-Powys Police, prompting an examination and an eye test. These assessments did not reveal sufficient evidence to declare him unfit to drive, as confirmed by Mr. Stacey during questioning from Mrs. Thornton-Sandy’s family.
The coroner for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Paul Bennett, presided over the inquests for both victims. He summarized the findings with a heavy heart, stating, “Why the driver drove the wrong way is unknown. Why he made such an action I am unable to say.” Mr. Bennett ruled that both deaths were the result of road traffic collisions and offered his condolences to the grieving families. He also noted that three people had received organ donations following Mrs. Thornton-Sandy’s death, a small glimmer of hope amid the tragedy, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The families of both victims shared statements that painted a vivid picture of the personal loss and the urgent need for change. Mr. Price’s family described him as “a kind, considerate, and caring person. He was much-loved by members of his family. He is sadly missed by his family and friends.” Mrs. Thornton-Sandy’s husband, Stuart, delivered a heart-wrenching account of his grief: “Nobody should have to see their wife as I saw Emily in hospital. Emily lost her life and I lost my future. I want to do what I can to prevent other families from losing someone in such a cruel way. I never envisaged that I would live my life without her. I felt like I lost purpose when I lost Emily and Scout.” Her parents echoed this devastation, stating, “My wife and I are devastated by the loss of our only child Emily. She was a kind and caring daughter who was taken from us in a tragedy which was avoidable.” They urged others to take action if they have concerns about the driving abilities of elderly relatives, in hopes of preventing similar heartbreak.
Beyond the immediate grief, the inquest prompted broader discussions about the safety of elderly drivers and the adequacy of current regulations. Coroner Bennett referenced upcoming reforms to driving laws in England and Wales that will change how people over 70 renew their licenses. He also committed to writing to the South Wales Trunk Road Agency and Carmarthenshire Council about the junction where the fatal turn occurred, highlighting the need for potential safety improvements.
While the cause of the wrong-way maneuver remains a mystery, the facts are clear: a moment’s error on a well-maintained road, by a driver with a recent history of health concerns but deemed fit to drive, resulted in irreversible loss. The tragedy has sparked calls for greater vigilance, both from authorities and families, regarding the fitness of elderly drivers—a topic that resonates far beyond Carmarthenshire.
The story of Emily Thornton-Sandy, her dog Scout, and John Howell Price serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be upended on the road, and how the responsibility for safety is shared by individuals, families, and public institutions alike. As reforms loom and investigations continue, those left behind hope that lessons will be learned to spare others from similar pain.
