Angry scenes erupted outside Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday as the family of a young woman killed in a car crash confronted a garage owner who falsified the MOT of the car she was travelling in when she died.
Neil John Lewis, 47, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation. The family of Darcy Ross brandished a photo of her at Lewis and shouted: "Darcy Ross, remember her name."
Details of the crash
Ms Ross and Eve Smith, both 21, and driver Rafel Jeanne, 24, died after the car crashed in woodland in St Mellons at 2.03am on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Sophie Russon and Shane Loughlin were seriously injured but survived. It took police more than 40 hours to find the vehicle, which had left the road and crashed into trees.
A solicitor speaking on behalf of the Ross family after the hearing said Lewis had passed the MOT of the Volkswagen Tiguan involved in the crash when it was not safe to be driven.
Court proceedings and family reaction
As Lewis left Cardiff court on Tuesday, he was confronted by members of Ms Ross' family, who said they have to live with the "devastating" loss every day. They held a framed photograph of Ms Ross towards Lewis and shouted at him.
Lewis pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation. The case was adjourned for a further hearing next month, and he was released on unconditional bail.
Speaking after the hearing, solicitor Mr Frederick said on behalf of the family: "We are pleased the defendant has pleaded guilty. For over three years our family has fought for answers. From the very beginning we raised concerns about the condition of the vehicle and asked for those concerns to be fully investigated. Nothing that has happened today changes the devastating reality that we live with every single day. Darcy was deeply loved and is missed beyond words. Every day without her is a reminder of the future which she has been denied and the immeasurable loss our family continues to endure."
Police investigations
Despite missing person reports, the car Ms Ross was in was not discovered until two days after it had crashed deep in undergrowth near a roundabout on the A48. Four Gwent Police officers face gross misconduct hearings in connection to the case in the coming months. An announcement from the IOPC previously alleged that some officers failed to carry out "basic inquiries", including house searches, after the missing person reports.
A South Wales Police spokesman said the alleged offence "was identified by officers investigating the fatal collision".
Ms Ross' family said they remain committed to seeking answers about the crash and asked for privacy as they continue to grieve. "Darcy will always be loved, always be remembered. We continue to seek the justice she deserves," they added.
