A man who was travelling at nearly 90mph in stormy conditions on the M4 motorway has been jailed after causing the deaths of a mother and daughter from Caerphilly. The devastating crash unfolded as torrential rain battered the country during Storm Babet, forcing motorists to navigate hazardous, water-logged roads. The incident has served as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of failing to adapt driving behaviour to changing conditions.
The driver, Firas Zeineddine, aged 46 and living in Keynsham, Somerset, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving at Swindon Crown Court. On the morning of 23 October 2023, Zeineddine was behind the wheel of his Tesla Model Y speeding along the M4 eastbound near Junction 17 for Chippenham, despite limited visibility and heavy spray that made travel treacherous. Meanwhile, Cheryl Woods, 61, and her daughter Sarha Smith, 40, both from Caerphilly, had stopped their Volkswagen T-Roc on the hard shoulder after a minor collision, waiting for assistance from a National Highways vehicle.
In a tragic sequence of events, Zeineddine’s Tesla aquaplaned—meaning the car’s tyres lost grip on the wet surface—while he was in the motorway’s outer lane at a speed confirmed by vehicle data to be above 90mph. The loss of traction caused him to veer across lanes and collide with the front offside of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) travelling in lane one.
The force of the impact was catastrophic. The lorry, struck by Zeineddine’s car, careened off course, ultimately toppling onto the parked Volkswagen occupied by Cheryl and Sarha. Despite rapid emergency response, both women were pronounced dead at the scene. The National Highways officer who had been assisting them was left unhurt, though reportedly avoided serious harm by only the narrowest of margins.
During proceedings at Swindon Crown Court, Zeineddine expressed remorse and admitted his responsibility, sparing the victims’ grieving family the ordeal of a prolonged trial. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and disqualified from driving for 18 months—a penalty reflecting both the recklessness of his actions and the irreversible loss inflicted on two families.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Sean Williams, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, underscored the avoidable nature of the tragedy. “This is an utterly tragic and needless incident that has seen two women lose their lives. Zeineddine’s speeding in the conditions was completely reckless, and he admitted having impaired vision due to the amount of mist and spray coming off the road,” DC Williams stated.
He continued: “Once his vehicle started to aquaplane in the standing water, due to the speed he was driving, he lost complete control. I am pleased he has pleaded guilty, which has prevented the victims’ family from having to relive the details through a trial. Cheryl and Sarha’s deaths sadly provide a clear illustration of why it is vital to drive to the conditions, no matter where you are. Any mistake or unforeseen incident, particularly at such high speeds, can have fatal consequences.”
The case has reignited discussion about motorway safety during adverse weather, with campaigners and police once again urging motorists to slow down and exercise additional caution in poor conditions. Aquaplaning, in particular, becomes a significant risk when speeds are excessive and water accumulates faster than tyres can channel it away.
As the community mourns the loss of Cheryl Woods and Sarha Smith, this incident stands as a sombre warning. Highway agencies and law enforcement continue to emphasise that, even with modern vehicles equipped with advanced safety systems, there is no substitute for responsible driving and respect for the elements. For the families affected, the pain endures—a reminder of the need for vigilance and care every time we step behind the wheel.