Police officers face misconduct hearing after car crash which killed three went undiscovered for two days
Six police officers will face disciplinary proceedings for misconduct over the crash that killed three people, the police watchdog has said.
Eve Smith and Darcy Ross, both 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, were found dead at the scene on the A48 in the St Mellons district of Cardiff, South Wales, in March 2023, almost 48 hours after they were last seen.
It was seen that the two seriously injured passengers were in the Volkswagen Tiguan in which they were traveling.
On Friday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was reviewing Gwent Police’s response to missing person reports made by family members, including whether they were appropriately risk assessed, investigated and resourced. It has now been decided that several officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
The police watchdog said six different officers should be questioned over alleged “gross misconduct” over how they oversaw the missing persons investigation, including failing to carry out house searches and providing “dishonest accounts to their superiors and IOPC investigators”.
The IOPC said it had investigated more than 30 complaints from families of people involved about the actions and decisions of Gwent Police and South Wales Police.
These included complaints about the way both forces communicated with families throughout the missing person investigation and the failure of relatives to provide information to police.
As the investigation progressed, complaints also emerged about communications between the two forces.
A spokesman for the IOPC said: “In more than half the cases we identified the service provided as unacceptable and recommended that a number of officers and staff engage in a reflective practice review process (RPRP).”
The IOPC added: “A police sergeant has a case to answer for gross misconduct in overseeing a missing persons investigation.
“A police officer has a case to answer for gross misconduct for allegedly failing to carry out basic investigations, including failing to record information and share it with his superiors.
“Two police officers have a case to answer for gross misconduct after allegedly failing to carry out house searches and then giving dishonest accounts to their superiors and IOPC investigators.
“A police officer has a case to answer for misconduct for allegedly failing to conduct adequate house searches.
“A police sergeant has a case to answer for misconduct relating to allegations that all available information was not reviewed when conducting a risk assessment for missing women.”
The accident occurred on Saturday, March 4, 2023, when a Volkswagen Tiguan veered off a minor road approaching the roundabout and stopped in a small grove of trees. The five were discovered on Monday, March 6, approximately 46 hours after the crash occurred.
Previously, Joel Lia was fined for driving a Volkswagen Tiguan without a license or insurance an hour before the accident. He had abandoned the vehicle shortly before the fatal collision.
At the first inquest hearing into the deaths of Mr Jeanne, Miss Ross and Miss Smith, they were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Gwent Police Deputy Chief Constable Nicky Brain said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Darcy, Eve and Rafel who tragically lost their lives and injuries that night.
“We acknowledge the impact this investigation has had on them and understand how important the findings of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will be for everyone affected and the wider community.
“We have fully cooperated with the IOPC in the investigation. It is important that these matters are thoroughly investigated in an open and transparent manner.
“We will now initiate the process to hold relevant misconduct hearings and misconduct meetings.”
