Six police officers will face disciplinary proceedings for misconduct in connection with a crash that claimed the lives of three people.
Eva Smith and Darcy Ross, both 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, were found dead at the scene of the incident on the A48 in the ST MELSONS area of Cardiff in March 2023 – almost 48 hours after everyone else was seen.
Two passengers in the Volkswagen Tiguan involved in the crash were seriously injured.
On Friday, the independent office for police conduct (IOPC) said it had reviewed Gwent Police’s response to missing family reports, including family members, including family appropriateness, including appropriate risk, reviewed and revised. It is now expected that the six officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
Derrick Campbell, the director of the IOPC, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the young people who lost their lives, those who were left seriously injured and everyone affected by this incident.
“This investigation is complex and resource-intensive, but it is important for the public’s confidence in the polling that this horrific incident is under investigation.
“It will be for a police disciplinary panel, arranged by Gwent Police, to consider the evidence and reach a decision based on all available information.”
The IOPC said:
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A police sergeant has a case to answer for gross misconduct for their handling of missing persons inquiries.
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A police constable has a case to face serious misconduct for allegedly failing to comply with key inquiries, including recording and sharing information with their supervisor.
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Two police constables have a case to answer for gross misconduct after allegedly failing to conduct house calls and then giving dishonest accounts to their supervisor and Iopc Investigator.
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A police constable has a case to answer for misconduct for allegedly not carrying out an adequate search of the house.
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A police sergeant has a lawsuit to answer wrongdoing allegations of failing to review all available information for the missing women.
The IOPC said it had investigated more than 30 complaints from the families of those involved in the incident, about the actions and decisions made by Gwent Police and South Wales Police.
These included complaints about the way in which the two forces were able to speak to families throughout the investigation of people and non-progressive information provided by the police to relatives.
There have also been complaints about communication between the two forces as the investigation continues.
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Deputy Chief Constable Nicky Brain, of Gwent Police, said: “Our thoughts and gratitude go out to Darcy, Eva and Rafel who lost their lives and those who sustained injuries that night.
“We recognize the impact this investigation has had on them and recognize how important the independent office’s findings will be for those affected and the wider community.
“We are fully cooperating with the IOPC in their investigation. It is important that these matters are investigated fully in an open and transparent manner.
“We will now begin the process of holding relevant misconduct hearings and misconduct meetings.”