Crash victims were ‘drinking and inhaling laughing gas’ before deadly smash killed three – court told
Friends in a car crash which killed three people had been drinking and inhaling laughing gas before the horrific smash, a court[1] heard. Driver Rafel Jeanne, 24, and passengers Darcy Ross, 21, and Eve Smith, 21, died in the tragedy in Cardiff.
Passengers Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were injured in the crash on on the A48 near the St Mellons area but survived. The group were discovered about 46 hours after the Volkswagen Tiguan they were in veered off a slip road and hurtled into trees near a roundabout.
Court[2] papers have now revealed the group had been drinking alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide before the collision. They had been on a night out at The Muffler social club in Maesglas, Newport, before heading to the Trecco Bay Caravan Park in Porthcawl – just under 40 miles away.
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They are said to have spent some time in one of the caravans there before they left. They were last seen at about 2am in the Pentwyn area of Cardiff dropping off a sixth member of their group, WalesOnline reports[5].
Details emerged in a behind-closed-doors hearing at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court[6] for Joel Lia. He was the sixth member of the group, who had been driving the Volkswagen Tiguan an hour before the crash.
Tributes continue to be left at the crash scene (Image: WalesOnline)
Lia, 28, of Rumney, Cardiff, was charged with driving without a licence or insurance in Porthcawl. His case was dealt with under a system known as the single justice procedure where magistrates[7] handle non-custodial criminal prosecutions in private rather than open court.
The PA news agency applied to the court[8] for the prosecution documents relating to Lia’s case. The papers showed Detective Constable Joanne Mahony took a signed witness statement from Lia.
He admitted driving the car even though he did not have a full UK licence. She said: “During the course of the statement Joel stated that he had driven along the M4 from Porthcawl to his sister’s address in Llanederyn at approximately 1am on March 4.
“Whilst the interview was not monitored Lia asked me if anything would happen to him as he knew he did not hold a full UK driving licence and he had admitted driving. In light of this investigation, CCTV inquiries were conducted along the route of the M4 towards Cardiff to capture the vehicle.”
CCTV from a petrol station, in Porthcawl, showed the Volkswagen Tiguan in the forecourt at 1.08am before it left three minutes later. DC Mahony said: “On stopping at the garage Joel Lia exits the rear offside of the vehicle and, when the driver exits the driver’s seat, Joel Lia then enters the driver’s seat.
“He then drives the vehicle off the forecourt. All other persons in the vehicle were intoxicated, by Joel’s admission, as they had been drinking alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide throughout the course of the evening.
“The vehicle did not display L plates which can be seen on CCTV. The officer in the case has reviewed the CCTV as part of this unrelated case and can positively identify Joel Lia as the person entering the driver’s seat.”
Lia admitted both charges and the case was adjourned until August 24. The crash happened at about 2.03am on March 4. The group – who were reported missing by family members – were discovered on Monday, March 6.
The time taken by Gwent Police and South Wales Police to find the group is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
An inquest opening heard how the three who died were declared dead at the scene of the crash. The hearing was adjourned to await the findings of further histology and toxicology tests.
References
- ^ court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Rapper who performed with Aitch cleared of ‘revenge shooting plot’ (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Get a free National Trust pass worth £50 for your family day out this summer (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ WalesOnline reports (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ magistrates (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)