Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and driver Rafel Jeanne, 24, died when their car smashed into trees near a roundabout near Cardiff in the early hours of March 4, 2023. Sophie Russon, 20 and Shane Loughlin, 32, suffered life-changing injuries
18:53, 07 Nov 2025
Six police officers face a misconduct process after it took them two days to find a car that had crashed and killed three young people.
Pals Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21 and driver Rafel Jeanne, 24, died when the car they were travelling in smashed into trees near a roundabout near Cardiff in the early hours of March 4, 2023. Sophie Russon, 20 and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived – but it took officers nearly 48 hours to discover the wreckage.
Now a probe by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has ruled six officers from Gwent Police failed to carry out “basic inquiries” - like house searches - after the group was reported missing. The watchdog said officers should face disciplinary action and four will have a “case to answer for gross misconduct”. It recommended three South Wales Police officers should undertake "reflective practice".
Earlier today, Deputy Chief Constable of Gwent Police Nicky Brain said the force had "fully co-operated with the IOPC,” adding: "We acknowledge the impact that this investigation has had on them and understand how important the findings of the IOPC will be to all those affected and the wider community."
South Wales Police said "opportunities were identified" during the investigation to improve the way it worked with Gwent Police on missing person investigations.
A probe was launched after the victims’ families filed more than 30 complaints about the two forces over their handling of the horror.
The youngsters were heading to a club in Newport when their car crashed in a Cardiff suburb at about 2am on March 4. The first missing person report was made at about 7.30pm that day, but it took officers until after midnight on March 6 to find the crash site.
An initial inquest into the deaths of Rafael, Darcy and Eve heard they were declared dead at the scene of the crash. Sophie and Shane both sustained critical injuries. Court papers revealed the group had been drinking alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - prior to the collision. The inquest was adjourned to await the findings of further histology and toxicology tests.
Shane was not driving at the time of the fatal crash, but had driven the same car while inhaling laughing gas earlier that night. In September 2023, he was sentenced to one year and five months in prison after admitting dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, in relation to the earlier driving.
We previously revealed how Sophie had returned to work having spent months in an intensive rehab clinic. Sophie needed a 14-hour op for bruising on her brain and spent months in a rehab clinic. Mum Anna Certowicz told us: “She’s back part-time. It’s given her a purpose in life again. This time last year we could never have imagined it. If Sophie goes anywhere I message asking if she’s arrived. I don’t think she’s come to terms with the trauma but she’s putting on a brave face.”