FOUR-and-a-half year sentence after driver sped through village and fled scene, leaving family searching for missing father

A DELIVERY driver has been jailed after causing the death of a father-of-two in a crash in Carmarthenshire.

Daniel Douglas Wyke, aged 28, from Carmarthen, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Mar 30) after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard that Wyke was travelling at 34mph in a 20mph zone through the village of Llanpumsaint on the evening of December 23, 2024, when he struck Aaron Jones, 38, who had been out walking his dog.

Mr Jones suffered fatal injuries in the collision.

Instead of stopping, Wyke fled the scene in his damaged vehicle. Police were able to quickly identify the vehicle involved, and he was arrested the following day.

The court was told that Mr Jones’ loved ones were left desperately searching for him in the hours after the collision, unaware of what had happened.

Sentencing, the judge described Wyke’s actions as “cruelly inhumane,” telling the court that he had been “more intent on saving his own skin” than considering the harm he might have caused.

He added that Wyke’s dangerous driving had cost the life of “a well-loved father of two children, an adored husband and son, and a man who was a good friend to so many.”

Wyke was jailed for four-and-a-half years and disqualified from driving for eight years and two months.

Paying tribute, Mr Jones’ family described him as “a remarkable, strong, caring and brilliant man who always led by the best example.”

They added: “We would like to thank Dyfed-Powys Police, and especially the investigation team, for thoroughly investigating Aaron’s case and supporting us during this awful time, and helping to secure today’s sentence.

“We would also like to thank Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity for their priceless continuing support to our family.

“We are so fortunate to have the support of dear family and friends but also a community that continue to care for us as we try to rebuild our lives without Aaron.”

Sergeant Nicholas Brookes, of Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a tragic incident that has left a family grieving a dad, husband and son, whose absence is felt as strongly now as 15 months ago.

“The defendant was proven to be driving incredibly dangerously through Llanpumsaint on the night of December 23, 2024, and Aaron’s death was the devastating – and entirely avoidable – result of this.

“Our investigation has been lengthy and detailed as we worked thoroughly to secure justice for Aaron’s family, who have been at the heart of all our actions.”