// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Maserati driver given suspended sentence after killing woman in crash
Ronald Dowling was driving his Maserati Ghibli carelessy in poor weather conditions when the crash happened in October 2023
A Maserati driver who killed a woman and seriously injured two others has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Ronald Dowling, 66, overtook a vehicle in heavy rain before aquaplaning, skidding across the carriageway and hitting Sharon Berry's car in the fatal crash at New Inn, Pontypool, on 26 October 2023.
His wife, Kim Dowling, was left paralysed, and passenger Jane Beedell also suffered extensive injuries.
Dowling, who previously pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by careless driving, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, suspended for two years.
On Tuesday, at Merthyr Crown Court, Judge Celia Hughes told him: "Your consequences should live with you for life."
The court heard Dowling, from Caerphilly, was driving with his wife and their lifelong friend, who they were taking to a hospital appointment, when the collision happened.
Despite wet and windy conditions, heavy rain and high levels of surface water, he was travelling at 76mph (122 km/h) just three seconds before the crash.
After aquaplaning, the defendant crashed into a stationary black Audi A3 driven by Sharon, who had pulled over because of the weather conditions.
She suffered catastrophic injuries and spent three months in hospital before her death in January 2024.