LEARNER drivers killed a woman, 21, in a horrific crash after losing control while racing “side by side” on the road, a court heard.

Jago Clarke and Emma Price are on trial at Swansea Crown Court after care home worker Ella Smith tragically lost her life in a gruesome wreckage in Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire.

The victim, who died in June 2021, was sitting in the passenger seat while Clarke, 21, raced “competitively” with Price, also 21, the court was told.

A jury heard Clarke was spotted drinking Budweiser as well as mixing a concoction of vodka and Sourz before getting behind the wheel of Ella’s Ford Ka.

Meanwhile, Price drove her Citroen C1 side by side down the B4341 in a race with her pal.

Price’s car was not involved in the crash but her driving in the moments leading up to Ella’s death makes her equally responsible for the tragedy, it has been argued in court.

The court heard that disaster struck when Clarke swerved out of control and hit the kerb which sent his car “twisting and turning” onto the opposite lane.

In moments, his vehicle had smashed into an oncoming vehicle, the court heard.

Prosecutor Jim Davis told the jury: “Neither defendant should have been driving either vehicle at the time, as both only held provisional licences and were not being supervised.

“It seems that Jago Clarke was bragging to everyone that he was going to drive Ella’s car and overtake everyone.”

Read Related Also: Gaynor Lord’s husband Clive ‘sounds dreadful like he hasn’t slept’, pal says as river search for missing mum continues

Another pal, Luis Heathfield also claimed he begged Clarke not to drive, the court heard.

Mr Heathfield said he shouted: “Don’t be a f****** idiot” when Clarke took a seat behind the wheel and Ella went to the passenger side.

The witness also told the court he saw both cars swerving and thought Price had been trying to prevent Clarke from overtaking.

Meanwhile, the driver of the oncoming car involved said he could see two vehicles “side by side” barrelling towards him at a “very fast” speed.

Rowan Fair told the court he saw Ella’s car hit a hedge and “fly back out” into the road in front of him.

His partner, and passenger, Daisy Buck was left seriously injured as a result of the collision.

She told the jury there was a “horrendous impact” moments before realising she had a large leg wound.

Clarke, of Hubberston, Milford Haven, denied causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He accepted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving and admitted causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured.

Price, of Holloway, Haverfordwest, denied causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while unlicensed and uninsured and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.