A NEWCASTLE Emlyn motorist has admitted to careless driving after a crash on the Cardigan to Llechryd Road left five people injured, with one of his passengers ending up in the intensive trauma unit.

Liam Kraus, of Beulah, Newcastle Emlyn, pleaded guilty in his absence at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to driving without due care and attention on the A484 just outside Cardigan on October 11 last year.

The 18-year-old defendant was at the wheel of a Citroen Saxo heading towards Cardigan when he lost control on a bend and veered into the opposite carriageway, colliding head-on with an oncoming vehicle, with both vehicles suffering extensive damage.

As a result of the collision the other driver was taken to hospital where she had a full CT scan and X rays and sustained injuries comprising of a severe bruised collar bone, sternum, left breast and abdomen and bruising to her lower left leg area.

The front seat passenger in the defendant’s vehicle sustained serious injuries comprising of two broken femurs which necessitated surgery, a broken left collarbone, bruised lungs and numerous cuts and grazes to the face, legs and hands.

He was also briefly placed into the intensive trauma unit.

The rear nearside passenger sustained serious injuries comprising of a cut to the left side of her forehead, a large bruise to the right thigh, a sore left shoulder and foot.

The rear offside passenger suffered a two-inch long cut to the top of his head, stiff neck and grazes to his back,

Kraus himself suffered serious injuries to his shin, groin and hip.

Magistrates at Llanelli adjourned the case to July 2, when Kraus will be due before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentencing.