A MAN has been charged following a serious crash on the M4 last October where a mother and daughter died.
Cheryl Woods, 61, and Sarha Smith, 40, of Caerphilly died on October 20, 2023, when they were involved in a crash with five vehicles between junction 17 of the M4 for Chippenham and junction 18 for Bath.
Firas Zeineddine, 45, of Bluebell Drive, Keynsham, has been charged with two counts of death by dangerous driving.
He is due to appear at court at a later date.
In tributes paid to the women in the days following their deaths, family described the women as “cherished”, with a defining trait of “unselfishness” that was apparent in both of them.
In a statement released by Wiltshire Police, the family of the two women said: “Cheryl Woods, cherished by those in her life, fulfilled the roles of a loving mother, doting grandmother, cherished sister, and a dear friend.
“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.”
Wiltshire Police, who have been supporting the family since the accident, confirmed that Firas Zeineddine, 45, had been charged with two counts of death by dangerous driving in an official statement released on December, 17, 2024.