Nurse Cerys Price guilty of death by dangerous driving - BBC News
The prosecution had argued the 28-year-old was in a "drugged-up state" after taking tramadol.
Cerys Price, 28, said she could not account for high levels of tramadol in her blood after the fatal car crash

A nurse who crashed her car after taking prescription painkillers has been found guilty of death by dangerous driving.

Robert Dean, 65, died after Cerys Price, 28, crashed into his car in July 2016 on the A467 near Newport.

Price, from Brynmawr, was also found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to the passenger in her car, ex-boyfriend Jack Tinklin.

She will be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on 6 February.

Robert Dean died in the crash near Newport

Prosecutor Timothy Evans had told the court Price had consumed an amount of tramadol "significantly higher than any therapeutic range" and was in a "drugged-up state" and "no way fit to drive a car".

Price had said she could not account for high levels of the drug in her blood after the fatal crash.

The court had heard the medication had not been prescribed but had been purchased by Price while in Mexico.

Speaking outside court, Helen Howell, Mr Dean's daughter, said they had lost him to an "act of recklessness".

"The way in which a loving husband, father and grandfather was taken from us was so unfair, and the impact on our family has been devastating," she said.

"The hurt will never go away, and again we eat our Christmas lunch with an empty chair at the table.

"Justice has been a long time coming, and we finally feel now that we can attempt to draw a line under it without being constantly reminded of how he died."

Helen Howell (left) and Katherine Harris said their father had been driving to a family celebration

Her sister Katherine Harris added: "The catastrophic effects of opioid abuse, tramadol in this case, was the reason our dad innocently died that day.

"He was on his way to a family gathering, to celebrate my daughter - his granddaughter's - birthday.

"We all have a responsibility as drivers to ensure the safety of others by adhering to the proper standards expected of us, and Cerys Price fell woefully short."

Sgt Bob Witherall of Gwent Police said it had been a long and complex investigation, adding: "We hope this has served as a warning of the tragic consequences of misusing non-prescribed medication and then driving."

Kelly Huggins, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Being a qualified nurse, Cerys Price should have known the dangers of driving after taking these tablets, but she drove nevertheless.

"Her actions resulted in tragic consequences for an innocent motorist, her passenger and herself.

"Our thoughts are with Mr Dean's family and friends at this difficult time."