The victim suffered five spinal fractures and may no longer be able to join the army, which was his ‘dream’
The A494 at Llanycil(Image: Google Street View)
A drink-driving North Wales firefighter left a teenager with serious injuries after losing control of his car and crashing. Liam Owen, 21, of Maes y Bronydd, Bala, lost control on a bend and hit a tree before crashing into a wall during the early hours of March 1, 2025, Caernarfon Crown Court heard.
He admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving following the crash on the A494 near Llanycil. The passenger in the car – 18-year-old Levi Douglas – suffered five spinal fractures in the collision and has had issues since with his back and associated pain.
He also suffered whiplash and bruising to his hip and left shoulder.
Owen, who was 20 at the time and a retained firefighter, had been out drinking at a family celebration the night before. He went home, but a group of friends came to his home, said Philip Clemo, who was prosecuting.
The defendant collected his car keys and was seen to be sitting in his car “revving the engine”. His friends asked him to stop, but he just laughed and drove towards Llyn Tegid [Bala Lake].
Mr Douglas later got into the passenger seat and Owen started to drive towards Dolgellau.
The victim remembers Owen’s driving as being “subpar”, saying it was far too fast for the road conditions, with the steering “jerky”, before he lost control.
“He was of the view, he was showing off and trying to play the big man,” said Mr Clemo. Mr Douglas had asked him to slow down, but Owen had told him “not to worry” as he was a good driver.
The main impact of the collision was on the passenger side and the car went into a spin and Mr Douglas remembers Owen “being flung around” because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
Following the crash, Owen had asked a member of the group they had been with to take him home, and she eventually agreed, but he then came back to the crash site, said Mr Clemo.
Police later attended and breathalysed the defendant. He was found to have 83mg of alcohol in his breath – the limit being 35mg. His blood also showed 129mg – the limit being 80mg.
Due to Mr Douglas’ injuries, he has needed a long recovery time and may not be able to join the army, which was his “dream”. He also had to wear a back brace. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
Richard Edwards, defending, said Owen had no previous convictions and was a hard working young man “who had learned his lesson”.
The incident was “a foolish decision” and was “out of character.” There had been an element of “immaturity”.
As well as losing his good character, he has also lost the employment in the fire service he had been aspiring to.
Mr Edwards also referenced a brave incident where Owen and others had risked themselves to rescue two young children in Llyn Tegid from drowning.
Judge Timothy Petts said given his previous good character and the age at which the incident happened, there was a realistic chance of rehabilitation in the community.
Judge Petts said given the damage to the car: “How the two of you survived is perhaps difficult to understand and could have been so much worse.”
The judge also referenced the incident where Owen risked himself to save the two children. “That speaks volumes about the sort of man you are,” he said.
He sentenced Owen to 22 months in prison, suspended for 21 months. The judge also ordered Owen to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work, 90 days of alcohol monitoring and 15 days reabilitation activity requirement.
Owen was also disqualified from driving for two years, must take an extended retest and was ordered to pay £500 towards costs. He must also pay a statutory surcharge. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here