Convicted motorist serves prison term for fatal collision that claimed lives of two women.
Fatal Road Mishap: 46-Year-Old Jailed for Deadly Negligence
In a heart-wrenching incident on the M4 near Chippenham, Wiltshire, during the rain-soaked days of Storm Babet, 46-year-old Firas Zeineddine, hailing from Keynsham, Bristol, found himself behind bars, having caused the untimely deaths of Cheryl Woods, 61, and her daughter Sarha Smith, 40, from Caerphilly, Wales.
On a fateful October day in 2023, with driving visibility significantly hampered by heavy mist and spray from the storm, Zeineddine opted to speed past on his Tesla Model Y at over 90 mph. Ignorant of the treacherous road conditions and the danger lurking at every bend, Zeineddine lost control, causing a collision with the steering axle of an oncoming Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV). This catastrophic chain of events led the HGV to crash into and overturn onto a stopped Volkswagen T-Roc on the hard shoulder, where the mother-daughter duo lay helpless. Emergency services were heartbreakingly unable to save either woman, declaring them dead at the scene[1][2][3].
As authorities estimated the driver's speed was well beyond what the weather and road conditions demanded, District Constable Sean Williams emphasized that such reckless behavior left a trail of avoidable devastation in its wake[3][4]. While initially charged with death by dangerous driving, Zeineddine was found guilty of the lesser but still grave offense of death by careless driving, which was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service[5]. On April 28, 2025, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Swindon Crown Court[1][4][5].
Speaking on the matter, DC Williams didn't mince words, reminding the public that instances such as this underscore the importance of adjusting driving speed to match road conditions, stating unequivocally that "driving to the conditions" is a matter of life and death[3][5].
As theVoices of the grief-stricken family echoed through the courts, they honored their loved ones by describing Cheryl's selflessness as a defining trait, with immense pride in her Welsh heritage[2]. Sarha's absence, they lamented, left a void in the lives of those who benefited from her radiant presence. With unwavering determination, her six daughters pledged to maintain the legacy of their adored mother by keeping her memory close and continually striving to honor her indomitable spirit[2].
Related Topics:* Wales* Wiltshire* Storm Babet* Tesla Model Y
Footnotes:1. Guardian2. BBC News Wales3. Daily Mail4. Independent5. Cambridge News6. BBC Weather
Zeineddine, the Keynsham resident, was sentenced to prison for causing the tragic deaths of Cheryl Woods and Sarha Smith on the M4 in Wiltshire during Storm Babet, a significant weather event that hit in October 2023. His reckless driving in a Tesla Model Y, disregarding the poor road conditions, led to a fatal crash, reminding the public of the importance of adjusting speed in such situations. The incident resonated in Wales, particularly in Caerphilly, the home of the mother and daughter duo, who were remembered for their selflessness and radiant presence.
