Tesla driver admits causing crash that killed mum and daughter

A Tesla driver has admitted causing a crash that killed a mum and daughter on the M4 in Wiltshire during Storm Babet.

Cheryl Woods and Sarha Smith were crushed to death by a lorry when it overturned in October 2023 as a result of Firas Zeineddine’s careless driving.

The 46-year-old man, of Bluebell Drive, Keynsham, was nailed by his own Telsa’s on-board 360-degree camera system.

“The reality is that a lot of the evidence comes from the defendant’s own car and the Tesla was recording from multiple cameras”, Judge Jason Taylor KC said.

At Swindon Crown Court today (Wednesday), he pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. He will be sentenced on 28 April.

The incident sparked a significant emergency response, with ten fire crews, manyspecialist ambulance resources and around 25 police units in attendance.

A HGV after it toppled over onto their car and Cheryl, 61, and Sarha, 40, from Caerphilly in Wales, could not be saved.

“Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend”, a family tribute read.

It continued: “Her selflessness was a defining trait, consistently prioritising her family’s well-being 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.”