Driver pleads guilty after fatal M4 motorway crash

A man has admitted to causing the deaths of a mother and daughter in a crash on the M4 motorway. Firas Zeineddine, aged 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving at Swindon Crown Court. The crash occurred on October 20, 2023, and involved multiple vehicles. The victims were 61-year-old Cheryl Woods and her 40-year-old daughter, Sarha Smith, both from Caerphilly. Zeineddine was initially charged with more serious counts of causing death by dangerous driving but accepted the lesser charges instead. The evidence from his Tesla played a crucial role in the case, as it recorded the events leading up to the crash. Prosecutor Edward Culver said the pleas were acceptable, and no trial would be necessary. Judge Jason Taylor KC noted that much of the evidence came from Zeineddine's own vehicle. Zeineddine is expected to be sentenced on April 28. The family of the victims paid tribute to Cheryl and Sarha, highlighting their roles as devoted mothers and grandmothers. They emphasized Cheryl's selflessness and love for her family, as well as Sarha's commitment to her family's needs. The family expressed that their absence will leave a significant void in the lives of those who loved them.