A LANARTH driver crashed into a tree and was killed shortly after he stormed out of a nearby pub following a remark by his girlfriend, an inquest has been told.

Thirty-one-year-old Edwin Llyr Evans, known as Llyr, died after his Ford Ranger pick-up crashed at high speed on a bend on the A486 near to Ffostrasol Football Club at around 10pm on April 10 last year.

The inquest at Aberystwyth Justice Centre heard that Mr Evans had gone to the Llanina Arms pub in Lanarth after work with friends and his girlfriend Rhian Jones and that the group indulged in “banter”.

However, a comment by Miss Jones, who had been his girlfriend for about five months, saw Mr Evans become “very upset” and “turn very quiet”.

He stormed out of the pub and jumped into his pick-up to drive home. The inquest heard he had a blood-alcohol level of 104mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.

“It was all banter and I did not think he would take it personally but he did,” said Miss Jones.

Mr Evans returned to the pub shortly after to pick up his mobile phones. Other drivers said he had performed a U-turn in the road, blowing his horn and forcing another car to stop.

He then drove off from the pub again.

Motorist Sean Thomas, who was towing a trailer, said Mr Evans overtook him “at very high speed and then stayed in the wrong lane and did not pull back in.

“It seemed a very dangerous and reckless thing to do. I could see the vehicle begin to weave out of control.

“There was four of us in the car and we said that would not be the last time we would see that car again that night.

“Another passenger in the car said it appeared he had a death wish and was not going to stop driving like that until something happened to himself or someone else.”

A couple of minutes later they came upon the crash in which Mr Evans suffered fatal injuries.

Police accident investigator PC Matthew Fraser told the inquest Mr Evans had been travelling at 75mph when he hit the tree on a sweeping right-hand bend.

The road conditions were clear and dry and there were no defects on the pick-up.

He said Mr Evans had made a seven second phone call on his mobile moments prior to the crash.

PC Fraser said: “A combination of driver distraction, speed and a level of impairment through alcohol all played a part.”

Recording a verdict of misadventure, Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton said: “It is quite clear that a red mist had descended on Mr Evans as a result of what had been said in the pub.

“It was an unfortunate remark even if it was banter between friends. It triggered in him an almost incandescent rage.

“The manner of his driving has been described as dangerous in the extreme. His driving was not due to alcohol alone but it would have had a significant effect and his reactions delayed.

“Altogether, these are very, very tragic circumstances and I offer the family my profound sympathy.

“Mr Evans was only 31 and had his whole life before him and because of some words that on reflection were unwise we have reached this point and this inquest here today.”