Andrew Vowles: Chilling video shows man high on drugs PLUNGE car off bridge killing his GF
A horrifying moment caught on camera shows the moment a driver high on cocaine plunged his car 22ft off a road after running a red light. The shocking incident killed the man's girlfriend, 28, who was in the car. Andrew Vowles was high on cocaine when he crashed his car on the Coryton interchange in Cardiff, leading to the tragic death of Danielle Andrews, a mother-of-four.
Vowles reportedly failed to stop his VW Golf at a red light as he drove at up to 64mph. He then smashed through an overpass barrier and the vehicle flew into the air. "The lights were showing red for 14 seconds as the defendant was traveling towards them using speeds between 62 and 64mph," Prosecutor Rachel Knight told Cardiff Crown Court. Reportedly, the couple who had been staying at a hotel in Cardiff city centre and had been fighting before they left the place.
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The court heard that footage from the roadside cameras revealed Vowles failed to slow down as he approached the lights. His car then went on to hit the kerb, traveled over two lanes of traffic and finally plunged off the bridge. "He drove in a straight line with no attempt to brake," Knight said. "He collided with crash barriers at such speed and force that they were completely demolished." The car was reportedly traveling at around 43mph through the air. It crashed into trees and traveled at around 43mph through the air.
At the time of the crash, Vowles was not wearing a seatbelt but Danielle, a mother-of-four, was. He has nine points on his license at the time of the crash. Blood tests found that Vowles was over five times the legal limit for drugs after he tested positive for cocaine. Following the crash, Vowles reportedly lied to the police, claiming there had been up to four people inside the vehicle when it crashed. According to UK media reports, Rachel Knight, prosecuting, said complaints were made from guests next door about “shouting and smashing noises” coming from the couple’s hotel's room. Cardiff Crown Court heard the fire alarm in the room was set off three times and that hotel staff warned them they might be asked to leave.
Danielle's family said described her as "a vivacious and intelligent young woman. "Danielle put her trust in Andrew Vowles when she got into the car with him that night but he betrayed her trust," her family said in a statement. Defending Owen Williams claimed that Vowles is "truly remorseful" for what happened. "He knows that he has ruined lives and has taken a life," Williams said. Judge Richard Williams told Vowles: “You showed a flagrant disregard for the rules of the road. “You blamed the deceased for having to leave the hotel early.”
Vowles has been jailed for seven years and six months after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. "It can't be said there is genuine remorse in this case as opposed to self pity," Judge Williams said. "This was as clear a case of dangerous driving as can be." Vowles, of Caerphilly, South Wales, will also have to take an extended driving test. He has been banned from driving for eight years and nine months.