Driver accused of killing teenager in hit and run took drugs to 'calm down' Derek Richards, 38, is accused of causing the death of Rhys Dobson, 19, following a collision on Varteg Road, Blaenavon Rhys Dobson pictured with his father (Image: Gwent Police) A driver accused of killing a teenager in a hit and run claims he took drugs to "calm down" after what he thought was a collision with furniture. Derek Richards, 38, denies a charge of causing the death of 19-year-old Rhys Dobson in the early hours of April 14, 2019. Mr Dobson died following a collision with Richards' black Citroen C3 at around 3.20am in Varteg Road, Blaenavon.