Crash victims' families frustrated by three-year delay for answers

5 days ago 5

Social Media A composite image of Eve Smith, Rafel Jeanne and Darcy Ross. The two girls have long dark hair, while Rafel has short dark hair and short stubble. Eve is smiling at the camera and wearing round earrings, while Darcy is wearing pink lipstick and a crucifix necklace.

The family of one of three people killed in a 2023 crash in Cardiff say they are "frustrated" at delays to a police disciplinary process.

The car was located on 6 March, despite missing persons' reports.

The police watchdog said its investigation had been "complex" while Gwent Police said disciplinary action could continue even if an officer left the force.

The group were last seen at about 02:00 GMT on 4 March 2023.

At the time, police believed the group had been involved in a crash, but did not find the white Volkswagen Tiguan car that had crashed deep in undergrowth near a roundabout, on the A48 near Cardiff.

At the three-year anniversary of the crash, Eve's family said their pain felt "just as raw as it did on the day we lost her".

They said delays had left them feeling "confused, frustrated, and let down".

"We cannot understand why it is taking so long for answers that should have been prioritised from the beginning," they added.

R.I.P Forever Young. That is followed by photos and the names of the three people that died in the crash

In a statement in November, the IOPC said it had examined Gwent Police's response to the missing person reports made by family members of the victims "including if they were appropriately risk assessed, reviewed and resourced".

At the time it added six police officers would face a misconduct process over their actions, including three PCs and one sergeant who faced allegations of gross misconduct.

Any officer found to breach the standards expected may face a misconduct hearing if the allegation is less serious and something that could be dealt with sanctions, like a written warning or training.

Gross misconduct is any action considered so serious that it could warrant dismissal.

In December last year, two officers were cleared of misconduct, relating to allegations that one failed to review all available information at the time of conducting a risk assessment for the missing women, while the other was alleged to have not carried out adequate house searches.

The meeting decided no further action was necessary and there is currently no date listed on the Gwent Police website for the officers facing gross misconduct.

According to Eve's family, one police officer has now resigned, leaving them "devastated".

They said this was despite being told the process against the now former officer would continue.

"It denies us the chance to hear him explain his actions, and it denies Eve the justice she deserves," they said.

"All we want — and all we have ever wanted — is the truth about what happened to Eve, and assurance that no other family will ever have to endure what we are going through."

Even if an officer resigns before a police misconduct hearing, proceedings will usually take place in their absence and a decision made about whether misconduct is proven or not proven.

Dep Ch Con Nicky Brain from Gwent Police said: "Our thoughts and condolences continue to be with the family and friends of Darcy, Eve and Rafel who tragically lost their lives and those who sustained injuries that night.

"If someone chooses to resign while under investigation for misconduct then proceedings can still take place with the sanction of 'dismissal if they had not previously left the police service' as an option for the misconduct panel."

An IOPC spokesperson said its "thoughts and sympathies" were with the families affected, and acknowledged the "length of time they have had to wait".

"This was a complex and resource intensive investigation, but it was important for public confidence in policing that this tragic incident was subject to thorough and independent scrutiny.

"We concluded our investigation in October 2025. It is now for Gwent Police to arrange and hold the outstanding disciplinary proceedings.

"We understand that the families, quite rightly, want answers and accountability and we hope our investigation findings go some way to providing that," the spokesperson added.

A separate investigation by South Wales Police into the crash has concluded, and the force said the file was now with HM Coroner ahead of future inquests.