This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/6168731.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jury ponders 'wheel grab' verdict Passenger cleared of fatal crash
(about 1 hour later)
A jury has started considering its verdict in the trial of woman accused of causing a car crash in which a fellow passenger died. A car passenger did not cause a fatal car crash in which a fellow passenger died, by grabbing the steering wheel, a jury has decided.
Alice Lewis, 20, denies yanking the car steering wheel just before the crash near Haverfordwest in November 2005. Alice Lewis, 20, was cleared of manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm at Swansea Crown Court.
David Griffiths, 18, died and Leila Connolly, 23, had serious injuries when the Vauxhall Corsa hit a stone wall. David Griffiths, 18, died and Leila Connolly, 23, had serious injuries when the Vauxhall Corsa hit a stone wall near Haverfordwest in November 2005.
Ms Lewis, of Wiston, has denied charges manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm at Swansea Crown Court. It was alleged that Ms Lewis grabbed the steering wheel for no reason.
The prosecution alleged she unexpectedly and "for no apparent reason" grabbed the steering wheel of the car.
Ms Lewis was one of six people in the car, being driven by Philip Harvey in the early hours of 14 November last year.Ms Lewis was one of six people in the car, being driven by Philip Harvey in the early hours of 14 November last year.
The court has heard accident investigators had found Mr Harvey had not been drinking and was travelling within the speed limit. The court heard that accident investigators had found that Mr Harvey had not been drinking and was within the speed limit.
The car hit a stone wall on the unclassified road between the villages of Crundale and Clarbeston Road. The jury was told that the car hit a stone wall on the unclassified road between the villages of Crundale and Clarbeston Road.
Student Mr Griffiths suffered severe internal injuries and had a cardiac arrest as he was being taken to Withybush hospital in Haverfordwest, where he was pronounced dead. Mr Griffiths, a student, suffered severe internal injuries and had a cardiac arrest as he was being taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, where he was pronounced dead.
Ms Connolly had been sitting on Mr Griffiths' lap and the court heard that her survival was "nothing short of a miracle".Ms Connolly had been sitting on Mr Griffiths' lap and the court heard that her survival was "nothing short of a miracle".
Ms Lewis repeatedly denied she had grabbed the steering wheelMs Lewis repeatedly denied she had grabbed the steering wheel
Ms Lewis repeatedly denied grabbing the steering wheel and said she did not see anyone else grab the wheel.Ms Lewis repeatedly denied grabbing the steering wheel and said she did not see anyone else grab the wheel.
She told James Jenkins, defending, that moments after the crash Mr Harvey had accused her of grabbing the wheel and had then started shouting at her. She told James Jenkins, defending, that moments after the crash Mr Harvey accused her of grabbing the wheel and then started shouting at her.
Under cross-examination from Geraint Walters, prosecuting, she admitted she had had a "fair amount to drink" that night and that she was "tipsy" but said it had not affected her judgement.Under cross-examination from Geraint Walters, prosecuting, she admitted she had had a "fair amount to drink" that night and that she was "tipsy" but said it had not affected her judgement.
She confirmed that she had said to a police officer at the scene of the crash "I can remember getting into the car but can't remember anything else. She confirmed that she told a police officer at the scene of the crash: "I can remember getting into the car but can't remember anything else.
"I'd had half a bottle of vodka with a friend. I can't remember the accident at all". "I'd had half a bottle of vodka with a friend. I can't remember the accident at all."
When asked again if she had grabbed the wheel, she said she had not touched it.When asked again if she had grabbed the wheel, she said she had not touched it.