Victim of road rage attack at traffic lights in Llanelli dies in hospital
A man who was left lying in the road after a violent road rage attack has died in hospital more than five months after the incident.
Richard Evans, from the Sketty area of Swansea, was the victim of an assault at Pemberton traffic lights in Llanelli in August last year when he was a passenger in a Land Rover which pulled up next to a Volkswagen Golf.
A row broke out and Mr Evans was beaten and left unconscious in the road before being taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea with significant brain injuries.
He was partially paralysed as a result of the attack and was left only able to say a few words.
Mr Evans was later moved to Singleton Hospital but never recovered from his injuries. He died during the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 56.Two people who were inside the VW Golf on the evening of August 10, 2019, have since been jailed in connection with the incident.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Evans – known affectionately as 'Dicky' – who has been described as “an incredibly popular man".
His brother John said: "Richard was a gentle giant and he will be sorely missed by everyone."
Friends have also been paying to tribute to Mr Evans, with a close friend who asked to be named only as Peter saying: “We were very close. He had a very big group of friends because he was such an easy-going and gentle guy.
“During his time at both Morriston and Singleton hospitals he was visited every single day by somebody who cared for him. After we heard of his death a few of us met up at what was his local pub in Swansea and there wasn’t a dry eye there.
“He was incredibly popular – everyone loved him. He was a joy to be around. His death has left a void in our lives – he's irreplaceable.
"He was such a kind and generous guy and his death is a tragedy."
Steve Ditchfield also paid tribute to his friend of 15 years.
“Never has the phrase ‘gentle giant’ or ‘one of a kind’ been more applicable as to my friend Dicky,” said Steve.
“In the 15 years that I had the honour of calling him my friend I never once witnessed him raise his voice or do anything other than make people laugh. He would always be there for his friends.
“He was a regular participant in the annual Lord Mayor’s boules tournament which raised money for charities in the local area. I never heard anyone have a bad word for the man. We will always remember him as someone who quite simply was loved by all that knew him.”
Liam Shaun Keenan, then aged 25, of Fron Terrace, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court last year and was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Ryan Matthew Edgington, then aged 24, of Llys Cilsaig, Dafen, Llanelli, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was jailed for six months.