Grieving man's drink-drive film

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Mark Boulcott has spoken about the death of his wife at the hands of a drink-driver

A dentist has spoken about the death of his wife at the hands of drink-driver for a film to be shown to school pupils and students.

Mark Boulcott's wife Karen was riding pillion on his motorbike when they were hit by a car.

It was driven by James Ward Douglas who had drunk four bottles of beer, 12 cans of lager and taken an ecstasy pill.

Mr Boulcott, of Pembrokeshire, said he hoped by taking part in the film it would help prevent similar tragedies.

The seven-minute short was commissioned by the Pembrokeshire Road Safety Forum and will be shown to young people throughout the county.

It is being launched at Milford Haven's Torch Theatre and aims to encourage social responsibility among teenage drivers and passengers.

There is nothing heroic or strong about what I am doing Mark Boulcott

Mr Boulcott, of Herbrandston, who was left with serious injuries after the crash, said: "The driver of the car that hit us was clearly unfit to be at the wheel and his young passengers had a responsibility to prevent him from getting into that car.

"If they had done so, Karen would still be here today.

"During the court hearing it became apparent that there were many opportunities when this accident could have been avoided.

"Young people who find themselves in similar situations need to realise that they have a responsibility for overseeing their health and that of the driver of a car they might be in a passenger in.''

Douglas, 22, of Carmarthen, was sentenced to seven years in jail, reduced to five years on appeal, after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash in 2006.

'Surviving'

Swansea Crown Court heard he was driving two friends home after just an hour's sleep from an all-night drinking session where he had drunk a bottle of wine, 12 bottles of lager and four cans of cider and had taken an ecstasy tablet.

Mr Boulcott was not expected to survive and spent more than two months in hospital.

The film includes scenes shot at the location of the accident and of the garden Mr Boulcott has created at his home in memory of his wife.

He added: "There is nothing heroic or strong about what I am doing.

"I am surviving and trying to make the most of my life.

"But my old life will always be there and I miss the girl who I had been with for 25 years."

The Pembrokeshire Road Safety Forum said the film would be shown to 17 to 25-year-olds, the age group which accounted for nearly 30% of those killed or seriously injured in accidents in Pembrokeshire in 2005.

'Hearts and minds'

Chairman Darren Thomas said: "We are very grateful that Mr Boulcott agreed to participate in this film.

"His personal testimony adds huge weight to the message being given.

"It personalises the issue and reaches into the hearts and minds of the people who will watch the film."