The husband of Donna Ball, 48, said her death had left a void ‘that can never be filled’
11:24, 02 Jan 2026Updated 11:40, 02 Jan 2026
Donna Ball, 48, died following a collision on the A4119 bypass near Williamstown on Monday(Image: South Wales Police)
A loving mum-of-four has died after being involved in a serious collision on a major valleys road, police have confirmed. A total of five people were taken to hospital following a crash between a car and a van on the A4119 bypass at Williamstown, near Tonypandy in the Rhondda on Monday morning, December 29.
The driver of the car, Donna Ball, 48, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries following the crash but sadly died in hospital on Tuesday, December 30. Her young daughter is also in hospital.
Donna’s husband said the family were “devastated by the sudden, tragic, and needless death of our beloved Donna.”
The driver of the van, a 19-year-old from Newport, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been bailed for further enquiries until March 30. Get the latest Rhondda news first by signing up to our newsletter here
Paying tribute to Donna, her husband said: “We, as a family, are devastated by the sudden, tragic, and needless death of our beloved Donna.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to all the emergency services who attended, including the air ambulance, Accident and Emergency, and the critical care teams at the University Hospital of Wales.
“Ongoing, I cannot express my thanks enough to the staff and doctors of Owl Ward and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales for their care of our daughter.
“Donna’s passing has left a huge void that can never be filled. Our old lives have ended; our lives without her begin now. We are overwhelmed by the messages of love and condolence we have received.
“We take great solace in the high regard in which she was held by so many. Rest easy, my love, until I see you again.”
A JustGiving page set up to support Donna’s family has raised over £1,500. It describes her as “an incredibly kind and generous person who would go out of her way to help anyone in need.”
South Wales Police is continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward. Officers are also interested in any information regarding the driving behaviour of the driver of the van leading up to the collision.
If you have any information, contact South Wales Police and quote 2500409628. You can contact the police force via its live chat platform by clicking here or via an online form by clicking here.
Alternatively information can also be given via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or its online form by clicking here.
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