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A driver has admitted two charges of causing death by careless driving after killing a mother and daughter in a crash on the M4.

Firas Zeineddine, 46, of Bluebell Drive, Keynsham, near Bristol, was originally charged with death by dangerous driving, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charges. The Crown Prosecution Service accepted this and is not seeking a trial.

Cheryl Woods, 61, of Penyrheol, and Sarha Smith, 40, from Abertridwr, were killed in a five-vehicle crash near Chippenham at around 9.10am on Friday October 20, 2023.

The pair, described by family as “best friends”, were travelling in a Volkswagen T-Roc when it was involved in a multi-vehicle collision between junction 17 for Chippenham and junction 18 for Bath.

Swindon Crown Court heard how Zeineddine was driving a white Tesla and that most of the evidence against the defendant had come from footage recorded by his own vehicle.

He is due to be sentenced on April 28.

At the time of the crash, Wiltshire Police released the following tribute from the family of the two women:

“Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend. Her selflessness was a defining trait, consistently prioritising her family’s wellbeing over her own, and she took immense pride in her Welsh heritage while nurturing a deep love for nature.

“Sarha Smith, in the footsteps of her mother, unselfishly devoted herself to her family’s needs ahead of her own. She was not only a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, but her absence leaves a void for those who relied on her radiant presence. Her legacy lives on through her six daughters, who will forever hold her memory close and strive to honour her with their efforts.”

More than £2,000 was raised for the family following the tragedy.

Bethany Smith, the eldest of Sarha’s six daughters, told Caerphilly Observer at the time she was “overwhelmed” by the generosity of the community.

“We weren’t expecting it,” she added.

Speaking about the relationship between their mother and grandmother, Bethany said: “They were inseparable. They were always together.

“They were always out shopping together, going on caravan holidays to Tenby and across Wales, or going for afternoon teas together.

“They were best friends.”

Major incident

The five-vehicle crash – reported to have involved three cars, a National Highways vehicle and a lorry – prompted a huge response from the emergency services.

According to the Wiltshire 999 website, it is understood a National Highways traffic officer was dealing with a minor road traffic collision on the hard shoulder shortly before the fatal incident.

It’s claimed a second collision occurred in the carriageway, which resulted in the lorry driver trying to avoid it. However, the lorry reportedly lost control and the vehicle toppled over – crushing the car Ms Woods and Ms Smith were travelling in.

A significant number of resources were sent to the scene – including eight fire appliances, four ambulances and a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) ambulance crew.