A routine day for a young girl riding her scooter near her school in Cardiff turned into a nightmare when a reckless driver nearly took her life in a hit-and-run accident.
Casey Wilson, just five years old, was riding along the pavement with her mum and brother when an out-of-control car collided with her, leaving her shaken and injured.
The Terrifying Moment of Impact
CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment when Casey was hit while riding her pink scooter.
She had just made it to the top of the pavement when the car, driven by Kurtis Dwyer, came speeding from the opposite direction, swerving across a busy road.
The vehicle slammed into her before speeding off without a second thought.
Dwyer, who was 35 years old at the time, had apparently overtaken another car before losing control and crashing into the young girl.
Dwyer’s Shameless Actions and Confession
After the accident, Dwyer, who was driving his mother’s car without permission and while banned from driving, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
It was later revealed that Dwyer had dropped a cigarette just before the crash, which he claimed distracted him.
Despite this, the judge in the case, Judge Simon Mills, noted that this detail was irrelevant, given the severity of his actions.
It was miraculous that Casey did not suffer worse injuries or worse.
In an unusual twist, Dwyer later confessed to the crime, admitting to Casey’s father that he had hit the child after feeling certain that the police would soon catch up with him. “I dropped a fag.
I didn’t realize I’d hit your kid,” he said. His actions were seen as a desperate attempt at owning up to his crime after fleeing the scene.
Emotional Impact on Casey and Her Family
While Casey physically recovered from the accident, the emotional toll it took on her was severe.
Her mother, Rachel Wilson, shared how her once-confident daughter had been left with PTSD and a deep fear of roads, cars, and crossings.
“She was a very lucky but unlucky girl,” Rachel said in court, describing how Casey had become overly attached to her mother after the incident and how a simple noise like a passing motorbike now caused her daughter extreme distress.
Casey’s trauma was evident, as her mother recalled a moment when the little girl froze in fear at the sound of a motorbike passing their house, screaming and running in panic.
“To see my daughter like this was horrendous,” Rachel added. “I felt helpless as a mother.”
Dwyer’s Past and His Sentence
The court heard that Dwyer had a long history of criminal behavior, with 15 prior convictions for 22 offenses, including driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving, and even battery.
His reckless driving and complete disregard for Casey’s safety led to a prison sentence of 14 months, with half to be served in custody and the other half on license. Additionally, he received a three-year driving ban.
Despite the court’s ruling, the damage to Casey and her family was undeniable.
What was supposed to be a simple outing turned into an emotional and physical ordeal that will haunt them for a long time to come.