Speeding Driver Jailed After Fatal Storm Babet M4 Crash

A speeding driver has been jailed after causing a crash that claimed the lives of a mother and daughter during severe weather conditions on the M4 last year. ⚖️

Firas Zeineddine, 46, of Bluebell Drive, Keynsham, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today (28/04) where he was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of death by careless driving. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

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

Zeineddine, driving a Tesla Model Y at speeds exceeding 90mph during Storm Babet, lost control when his vehicle aquaplaned in standing water. He overcorrected his steering, colliding with an HGV in lane 1, which then crashed into the women’s Volkswagen T-Roc, narrowly missing a Highways officer.

Sadly, both Cheryl and Sarha were 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.”