Speeding Tesla driver jailed after killing mum and daughter on M4
It was described as an "utterly tragic and needless incident"
13:19, 28 Apr 2025Updated 13:19, 28 Apr 2025
Firas Zeinnedine, 46, from Keynsham(Image: Wiltshire Police)A man who killed two a mother and daughter when he lost control of his speeding Tesla on the M4 has been jailed for 12 months.
Firas Zeineddine was driving at more than 90mph on a wet M4 in Wiltshire when he lost control, swerved into a lorry which then ploughed into Cheryl Woods and Sarha Smith who were on the hard shoulder after an earlier minor collision.
Zeineddine, from Bluebell Drive in Keynsham, near Bristol, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving and was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court today, Monday, April 28. He was jailed for 12 months.
Mum Cheryl Woods, 61, and daughter Sarha Smith, 40, both from Caerphilly, had stopped minutes before on the hard shoulder of the M4 near junction 17 for Chippenham, following an earlier minor collision.
An officer from National Highways was assisting them when they were hit by the lorry.
The lorry collided with and toppled onto Cheryl and Sarha's vehicle, a VW T-Roc, and narrowly missed the National Highways officer. The mum and daughter were pronounced dead at the scene. The incident happened on October 23, 2023.
Investigations showed Zeineddine, 46, had been travelling at 90mph in his Tesla and aquaplaned as he oversteered, swerving from Lane 3 into the lorry which was travelling in Lane 1.
Article continues below"This is an utterly tragic and needless incident which has seen two women lose their lives," said the investigating officer DC Sean Williams, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team at Wiltshire Police.
"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.
Cheryl Woods and Sarha Smith"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," he added.
Article continues belowZeinnedine had originally been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, which would have merited a potentially longer prison sentence, but when he pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of causing death by careless driving[3], the CPS said it was satisfied with the guilty pleas and they would not be seeking a trial.
References
- ^ Keynsham man charged after mother and daughter killed in horror M4 crash (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Tesla driver admits killing mother and daughter in M4 crash (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of causing death by careless driving (www.bristolpost.co.uk)