A MAN accused of causing death by dangerous driving during a "race" along a lane near Bedwas told police when arrested that he had taken an overdose as he had "watched his sister die".

Aaron Bridgeman, who lives at Lansbury Park in Caerphilly, denies one count of causing Claire Franklin's death by dangerous driving on December 23, 2013.

It is alleged he had been driving a red Peugeot car, but left the scene after the crash with his friend and stepsister - who had been riding pillion on a motorbike - in the road.

Yesterday, PC Alexa Jones, of Gwent Police, told Newport Crown Court that Bridgeman, then of Abertillery, had flagged down her patrol car in the town on the evening after the incident, while they were looking for him.

She agreed with defending counsel Jeff Jones that Bridgeman said: "I have taken 30 paracetamol tablets. I have just watched my sister die."

He looked shaken up, she added.

On Monday, the court heard how Bridgeman was accused of zooming up Pandy Lane near Llanbradach, a winding, unlit road, in a red Peugeot along with biker Jason Szalkowski at around 5pm, when it was “pitch black”.

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said it had been raining heavily and a stream next to the road had burst its banks. Weather was so bad there had been a national alert, the court heard.

When the the vehicles reached the water they were unable to stop in time because they were travelling too quickly, he said.

Ms Franklin, known as Vicky, fell from the bike and landed on Bridgeman's windscreen. She landed on the road where another car drove over her, the court heard.

Mr Bennett said it was impossible to say what finally killed Ms Franklin, 40, but said she would not have died if the race had not happened.

It was not in the public interest to bring charges against Mr Szalkowski as he was too seriously injured, the court heard.

Bridgeman, 35, denied racing, telling police he was travelling at a safe distance behind Mr Szalkowski, known to him as ‘Fatty’.

Mr Bennett said: "He misled police and lied to avoid taking responsibility for what he did.”

Robert Nash, a farmer from Hengoed, said he would never drive on that road again after the trauma of driving into the crash scene. At first he thought his 4x4 had hit a sheep because of the white fleecy hoodie Ms Franklin was wearing, but realised it was a human being after he saw the biker lying by the side of the road, his helmet pulled off in the force of the collision.

He immediately stopped his car.

The defendant approached him and asked if he was calling the emergency services, then walked back to his car and drove away, the court heard.

Proceeding.