 Jason Hartt had cannabis and ecstasy in his blood |
A teenage driver died of misadventure and his two passengers were unlawfully killed, a coroner has decided. Evidence showed that Jason Hartt, 18, had substantial amounts of cannabis and ecstasy in his blood at the time of the collision near Whitland last November.
Jonathan Owen from Bancyfelin and Tammi Williams from Whitland, both 14, were passengers in the car.
The Milford Haven inquest heard that in a horrible coincidence the first person on the scene was the driver's father.
Police evidence showed the turbo diesel Golf Mr Hartt was driving was travelling at speeds between 65mph and 80 mph.
The court heard on Monday how the car was travelling on the wrong side of the road when it hit a Land Rover discovery carrying a couple from Caerphilly, around the Tavernspite area of Pembrokeshire.
Both 14-year-olds were pupils in the same form at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf in Whitland.
Jonathan Owen, who had been sitting in the back seat, died at the scene along with Mr Hartt.
And Mr Hartt's girlfriend, Tammi Williams, was transferred to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but died four days later.
'Happy young man'
The driver of the Land Rover was treated at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, for serious leg injuries.
The B4315 road between Tavernspite and Princes Gate was closed for six hours after the accident on 20 November, 2004.
Reading a statement on behalf of Mr Hartt's family, a police liaison office said that Jason had been a "very happy young man, who worked hard and lived life to the full".
"Everyone makes a mistake at some time in their lives, unfortunately for Jason his was fatal.
"Our hearts go out to Tammi and John's parents. We feel heartbroken for them as well as for the loss we have suffered in our family."
Dyfed-Powys Police Inspector Nigel Hayes, who investigated the incident, said the tragic events of November 2004 sent a clear message to anyone who drove after taking drugs.
"All I would say to young people, or any drivers is that if they take drugs their driving can be impaired, this can end up in somebody dying," he said.
"This summer we have a campaign against drink-driving and we will be roadside testing people who may have taken drugs.
"It's a very, very serious issue that we intend to really clamp down on."
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Everyone makes a mistake at some time in their lives, unfortunately for Jason his was fatal.
