A young driver whose “momentary inattention” killed a mother-of-two from Newtown has been sentenced in court almost exactly a year after the deadly crash.

Mia Price, 22, could not remember the collision in which her car veered onto the wrong side of the road, colliding with another car carrying a family with children. The incident was caught on dashcam footage.

Renata Anna Sumiga, 37, died in hospital from a “devastating” brain injury and serious abdominal injuries six days after the collision, just before 7.30pm on March 16, 2022, on the A483 in Llaithddu between Llanbister and Camnant.

Price, a Cardiff University student, was sentenced to a 12-month community order and banned from driving for two years after pleading guilty to causing Ms Sumiga’s death by careless and inconsiderate driving at Merthyr Crown Court on Wednesday, March 15.

His Honour Judge Richard Twomlow said the “dreadful” collision had a “devastating effect" on Ms Sumiga's family.

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“Nothing I can say, or sentence could possibly alleviate the grief felt by her family as a result of her death,” the judge said.

Prosecuting barrister Talia Keskin said Price had been driving alone in a Toyota Yaris but was in convoy with her father who was travelling southbound in front of her when the collision happened.

Ms Keskin said that for one second the car veered across the road, but there was no information as to why.

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The court heard that there were no drink or drugs involved, no use of a phone or a mechanical fault with Price’s car.

Ms Sumiga’s husband Radoslaw Sznajder, who was driving a Volkswagen Passat towards Newtown, suffered a fractured sternum, his 10-year-old son who was sitting in the front passenger seat had chest pains from the seatbelt, and his seven-year-old son who was sitting in the back with his mother suffered a broken collarbone.

Price needed surgery for a broken femur, ankle, jaw and elbow and suffered neurological injuries.

Defence barrister Stuart John said the 22-year-old had shown “genuine contrition and remorse”.

“Two families' lives have been ruined by this tragic collision," he said. "She is going to have to live with this for the rest of her life.”

In a victim impact statement, Mr Sznajder said: “Life is not the same without Renata. She was our glue. She made the children smile all the time. Life gives us less pleasure and we miss her. Our life fell like a house of cards.

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"It felt like I was in a dream and when I woke up everything would be back to normal. My son locked himself in his room and cried. I never wish a parent to hear a child cry like that.

“Birthdays and holidays are not the same. Renata’s birthday was a terrible time. My son’s Holy Communion which Renata was looking forward to. They are not the days of joy that they should be, they are of sadness and there will be more. Renata supported me. She was the reason I had strength.”

Sentencing Price, of Bishopston, Swansea, His Honour Judge Twomlow said: “Miss Price has felt very deep remorse of the consequences of what happened, and her appearance in court today and her family has shown that.

“You survived the crash which has had serious consequences. You have suffered serious injuries, both physical and psychological, which are still ongoing, and you can’t recall anything itself, and struggled to come to terms with what happened.

“You’ve never been in trouble before. You are of previous excellent character.

“This collision occurred as a result of momentary inattention.”

The judge said the offence was “so serious” that Price was ordered to complete a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation requirement days, and disqualified from driving for two years.