Driver jailed for killing dog walker found in churchyard days before Christmas

A delivery driver who left a dog walker to die in a hit-and-run days before Christmas has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

The body of Aaron Jones, 38, from Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire, was found in a churchyard on 23 December 2024.

The father-of-two was walking his dog when he was propelled over a churchyard wall after being hit by takeaway delivery driver Daniel Wyke.

Swansea Crown Court heard Wyke, 28, from Llanybri, Carmarthen, left Jones "dead or dying" as he drove away from the scene and carried on with his deliveries.

Ian Wright, prosecuting, said "brave and sustained efforts were made to revive" Jones, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family said they have faced a "life sentence of loss" since that day.

Wyke was arrested on 24 December and charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

In February, he pleaded guilty to the first charge but denied a count of dangerous driving on Water Street, in Carmarthen.

On Monday, Judge Paul Thomas told Wyke that his actions were "cruelly inhumane".

He told Wyke he would have "clearly" seen Jones on the road.

"You quite simply prioritised evading responsibility for what you had done. You were far more intent on saving your own skin," he said.

The judge added: "You left him dead or dying to carry on with your deliveries."

He said he'd "persistently lied for many months" and he therefore cannot accept the "genuineness of your remorse".

Aaron Jones was wearing a high-vis jacket when he took the family Labrador on his usual walk around the village.

He described the 20mph road in Llanpumsaint as "a wide single lane with no single white lines" and "sufficiently wide for two vehicles to travel in opposite directions".

Wyke was driving at about 34mph with "no evidence of heavy breaking or steering prior to the collision".

A large piece of plastic was also found in the road, which appeared to be a bumper.

The family dog was found by a passer-by who contacted his wife, which led to a search.

Aaron Jones' body was later discovered in the church grounds near Caer Salem Baptist chapel.

His cause of death was a blunt head injury.

Wright said: "He [Wyke] returned to his vehicle and drove away from the scene. Carrying on with his deliveries."

Driving a Vauxhall Crossland X, Wyke returned to the scene shortly after but fled again.

Wright said: "The defendant must have seen Aaron Jones be projected over the wall. Had he looked over the wall he would have seen Aaron Jones submerged in a small body of water.

"He did not remain and did not assist in identifying the location of Aaron Jones."

Wyke returned to New China Takeaway in Carmarthen and told another delivery driver that he'd hit a branch or a tree.

The court heard that he "appeared agitated" and was concerned about how "he would finance the repairs of his car".

He said he would carry on with his deliveries using his father's car.

The court heard there will be "no way of knowing" if Jones would have survived had he been helped straight after the crash.

Maria Steadman, Aaron Jones' mother, told the court her son was "the first person everyone turned to for moral support or advice" and "excelled at everything he turned his hand to".

"What I find unforgivable is how someone could flee the scene, Aaron's life may have been saved.

"You have taken away from me my only child.

"As a family we now face a life sentence of loss."

His widow, Lisa Haf, said: "I do not believe that the defendant is remorseful.

"The hard work of the police has backed him into a corner."

She said her husband was "the love of my life" and her "whole world collapsed" that day.

Their children, aged nine and 11, were now "scared" taking the dog for a walk with her and "flinch at every sound".

"People say I should heal myself, but I'm nothing without Aaron. The only thing keeping me going is our children," she said.

The children describe their dad as "amazing", "perfect" and a "hero", and "just want him back even for an hour for one more hug".

The court heard at the time of his arrest, Wyke maintained that he didn't know that he had hit anyone.

Dyfed Thomas, defending, said that this lie was "made and maintained in state of panic".

Wyke was also disqualified from driving for eight years and three months and will need to take an extended driving test.