A mother from Tredegar, Rhiannon Lucas, has shared the heart-wrenching story of how her two young children tragically lost their lives in an M4 crash caused by a drunk and drugged driver. The incident occurred on February 5, 2022, when Martin Newman, who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs, crashed into their stationary vehicle on the M4 motorway. The crash claimed the lives of four-year-old Gracie-Ann Lucas and three-year-old Jayden-Lee Lucas, who succumbed to their injuries at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Rhiannon Lucas, the children’s mother, also sustained serious injuries in the tragic accident.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Newman was driving while being more than twice over the legal drink-driving limit after a night of heavy drinking and drug use. Newman admitted to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as one count of causing serious injury to Rhiannon Lucas, along with charges of drink-driving and drug-driving. Despite his admission, Newman was sentenced to nine years and four months in jail, with a custodial period of just over four years.
Rhiannon, who continues to grapple with the physical and emotional aftermath of the crash, shared the lasting impact it has had on her life. She expressed struggles with memory loss and mental health issues stemming from the incident. Rhiannon recounted the heart-wrenching moments in the hospital, where she had to come to terms with the loss of her children amid her own injuries.
Reflecting on the tragic loss of Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee, Rhiannon described the deep bond between the siblings, noting that they were always together. She highlighted the ongoing pain of their absence and the challenges of coping with life after the accident. Despite the immense grief, Rhiannon found solace in her newborn daughter, Summer, whom she credits with bringing light after the trauma.
The family has been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the length of Newman’s sentence, expressing outrage at what they perceive as leniency in the justice system. Rhiannon’s father, Jason Lucas, emphasised the need for tougher penalties for drunk and drug drivers, echoing the family’s call for justice for Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee.
Gwent Police emphasised the devastating impact of drink and drug driving, particularly in light of the lives lost in such preventable tragedies. Inspector Leighton Healan reiterated the zero-tolerance stance of the police towards such offences, underscoring the importance of enforcing road safety measures to prevent further loss.
The harrowing tale of Rhiannon Lucas serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences of irresponsible driving behaviour and the profound impact it can have on families. As the community mourns the loss of Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee, Rhiannon’s courage in sharing her story sheds light on the ongoing battle for justice and road safety awareness.