Man whose speeding on motorway during storm led to death of two women sentenced

A man whose speeding on the M4 during Storm Babet led to the deaths of a mother and her daughter has been sentenced.

Firas Zeineddine, 46, of Bluebell Drive, Keynsham, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today (28/04) after pleading guilty to two counts of death by careless driving. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

On October 20, 2023, at around 9am, Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, of Caerphilly, were stopped on the hard shoulder of the M4 eastbound near junction 17 for Chippenham with a vehicle from National Highways following a minor collision.

Shortly after, Zeineddine, who was driving a Tesla Model Y, aquaplaned while speeding at more than 90mph in the outside lane of the M4. He then overcorrected his steering, colliding with the front offside bumper and then the steering axel of an HGV in lane 1.

The HGV then collided with and fell on Cheryl and Sarha’s vehicle, a Volkswagen T-Roc, while narrowly missing a Highways officer.

Cheryl and Sarha were sadly declared dead at the scene.

Investigating officer DC Sean Williams, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “This is an utterly tragic and needless incident which 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 that was coming off the road.

“Despite this, data from his Tesla showed his speed was in excess of 90mph. Once his vehicle started to aquaplane in the standing water, due to the speed he was driving, he lost complete control.

“I’m 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 the speeds Zeineddine was driving, can have fatal consequences.”