URGENT UPDATE: Nathan Fountain, a 29-year-old from Oswestry, has suffered life-altering injuries following a horrific crash caused by drunk driver Danny Francis, 29. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on October 1, 2023, along the A458 at Rowton Castle near Welshpool, leaving Fountain with an amputated leg and his friend Ben Worrell, 17, dead at the scene.
The tragedy unfolded as Nathan and Ben returned home after dining with friends in Newtown, Powys. They were struck by a Range Rover driven by Francis, who had been drinking heavily at multiple pubs in Shropshire before the accident. Surveillance footage shows Francis leaving the Red Lion pub with a group of friends, including one person hidden in the boot, just hours before the crash.
Witnesses report that Francis swerved into the opposite lane to avoid a large puddle, ultimately colliding with the motorcyclists. While Ben died instantly, Nathan was left screaming in agony, with severe injuries that required 17 operations. He spent two weeks in a coma and faced complications like sepsis before being discharged from the hospital in January 2024.
After fleeing the scene, Francis was apprehended at his partner’s home in Knockin, near Oswestry, around 4 AM the same morning. Initially claiming he had consumed only one pint, a police investigation revealed he had actually ingested 11 pints of cider and two shots over eight hours. A breathalyzer test taken almost three hours after his arrest indicated a reading of 27 micrograms of alcohol in his breath, well below the legal limit, but back-calculations suggested his blood alcohol level at the time of the crash could have been as high as 111 micrograms.
In a Shrewsbury Crown Court session on November 28, 2023, Francis pleaded guilty to careless driving and causing serious injury while under the influence. He was sentenced to seven years in prison. Judge Trevor Meegan condemned his actions, emphasizing that Francis’s decision to flee the scene was “shameful conduct.”
Nathan Fountain expressed his deep anguish, stating, “This man has ruined my life and hasn’t shown any remorse from day one.” He described the emotional toll, living in “unbearable pain” and dealing with the memories of that tragic night. “I am so angry that he chose to run away, leaving Ben for dead and me knowing he would have heard me scream.”
As Nathan continues to recover, he faces an uncertain future, now confined to a wheelchair and grappling with his new reality. The impact of this tragic accident has resonated deeply within the community, raising urgent questions about road safety and the dangers of drunk driving.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and avoid driving under the influence. As the case continues to unfold, further developments are expected regarding the aftermath and community response to this tragedy.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
