Firas Zeineddine, 46, from Keynsham, near Bristol, has been jailed for 12 months after a high-speed crash on the M4 killed a mother and daughter in what police described as an “utterly tragic and needless incident.”
On October 23, 2023, Zeineddine was driving a Tesla at over 90mph in wet conditions when he lost control, swerved across three lanes, and struck a lorry. The lorry then ploughed into Cheryl Woods, 61, and her daughter Sarha Smith, 40, who were on the hard shoulder near junction 17 for Chippenham following a minor collision.
The impact caused the lorry to topple onto the victims’ vehicle, a VW T-Roc, fatally crushing them. A National Highways officer, who had stopped to assist the women, narrowly avoided being hit.
Data from Zeineddine’s vehicle showed he was travelling well above the speed limit despite poor visibility and wet road conditions. He aquaplaned and oversteered, causing his Tesla to veer from the fast lane into the path of the lorry.
Zeineddine pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving and was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Monday, April 28.
Detective Constable Sean Williams of Wiltshire Police’s 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.”
The court heard that Zeineddine acknowledged the mist and road spray impaired his vision, yet he continued to drive at excessive speed.
The crash underscores the lethal consequences of speeding, particularly in hazardous conditions. Cheryl Woods and Sarha Smith, both from Caerphilly, were pronounced dead at the scene.
