Driver who killed mother and daughter in crash is jailed

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A driver has been jailed after causing the deaths of a mother and daughter by careless driving.

Firas Zeineddine was jailed for 12 months on Monday at Swindon Crown Court for causing the deaths of Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, from Caerphilly in South Wales.

The court heard the 46-year-old had been driving his Tesla car at speeds of more than 90mph on the M4 near Chippenham, Wiltshire.

The defendant lost control of the vehicle in October 2023 because of surface water which followed heavy rain and strong winds brought to the UK by Storm Babet.

Zeineddine, from Keynsham, Bristol, collided with a lorry which then crashed into and fell on Ms Woods and Ms Smith’s vehicle.

They had stopped on the hard shoulder after an earlier minor collision and officers say the lorry narrowly missed an officer from National Highways.

Both Ms Woods and Ms Smith were declared dead at the scene.

Detective Constable Sean Williams, from Wiltshire Police said after the sentencing that this was “an utterly tragic and needless incident”.

“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,” he added.

“Despite this, data from his Tesla showed his speed was in excess of 90mph.”

DC Williams added that the deaths of Ms Woods and Ms Smith “provide a clear illustration of why it is vital to drive to the conditions”.

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The family of the two women paid tribute to them after their deaths and described them as devoted mothers and grandmothers, respectively.

They said Ms Woods’s “selflessness was a defining trait” and that she took “immense pride in her Welsh heritage”.

Their family added that Ms Smith’s absence “leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence”.

“Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts,” they added.