Family of woman who lay dead in crash for days confronts mechanic who falsified MOT

A grieving family confronted a rogue mechanic after he admitted to falsely passing an MOT for a car that led to a deadly crash, killing three people. Neil Lewis, 47, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Cardiff Magistrates' Court, admitting he knew the vehicle was dangerous. The crash occurred on March 4, 2023, in St Mellons, Cardiff, when a Volkswagen Tiguan veered off the road and collided with trees. Three individuals, Eve Smith, 21; Darcy Ross, 21; and Rafel Jeanne, 24—died in the incident. Two others, Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, survived but were found trapped in the wreckage two days later. The car, which had previously been involved in a crash in Scotland in 2021, was sold to a salvage company in Cardiff and later auctioned to Joel Lia, a friend of Jeanne, who was driving the vehicle on the night of the crash. The car failed an MOT on February 9, 2023, due to faulty seatbelts and warning lights. Despite these issues, Lewis conducted a retest on February 23, 2023, claiming the problems were resolved. He informed Lia via text message that the car was cleared, although the seatbelts and airbag light still required attention. The message, shared in court, included a grin emoji and a reference to the cost of repairs. Lewis, based in Ely, Cardiff, acknowledged during his testimony that the car was dangerous. Prosecuting lawyer Francesca Parry noted that the seatbelts had not been replaced since the earlier crash in Scotland and were not functioning properly. This failure to address critical safety issues likely contributed to the severity of the crash. The family of Darcy Ross, who was among the deceased, confronted Lewis outside the courthouse, holding a framed photo of their daughter and demanding accountability. They called out, “Darcy Ross, remember her name,” as they expressed their grief and frustration. The five occupants of the vehicle had been on a night out, visiting the Muffler social club in Maesglas, Newport, before heading to a caravan park in Porthcawl. They were last seen around 2:00 AM on March 4, 2023. Their families reported them missing that evening, prompting a search by Gwent Police. Friends and relatives continued to appeal for information, with one mother reportedly advised to cease contacting authorities. The group was discovered approximately 46 hours later in dense undergrowth near a roundabout in St Mellons. Smith, Jeanne, and Ross perished, while Russon and Loughlin were severely injured and hospitalized. Lewis’s admission of guilt marks the culmination of a prolonged investigation by South Wales Police. His plea of guilty to fraud by false representation means he will face sentencing on August 19. The Ross family, represented by solicitor Andrew Frederick, stated they were satisfied with the guilty plea but emphasized their ongoing pursuit of justice. They highlighted their long-standing concerns regarding the vehicle’s condition and the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to their loss. The case underscores the critical role of vehicle safety inspections and the potential consequences of regulatory failures. As the legal process continues, the community awaits further developments in the aftermath of a tragic event that has shaken local families and prompted calls for greater scrutiny of automotive safety practices.