AN investigation into SEVEN cops is underway over the Cardiff crash that saw three friends lay dead beside two seriously injured survivors for 46 hours.
Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, and Rafel Jeanne, 24, were found dead at the horrific scene on the A48 St Mellons, in Cardiff, South Wales, on March 6 last year.
They were discovered nearly two days after they were all last seen, alongside seriously injured passengers Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32.
The white Volkswagen Tiguan had veered off the road and smashed into trees on a roundabout after the group left a night out at The Muffler social club in Maesglas, Newport.
Rafel Jeanne, who was driving at the time, had travelled to the Trecco Bay Caravan Park in Porthcawl, before arriving in the Pentwyn area at 2am.
Now, The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into seven Gwent Police officers over how long it took to find the group.
Two officers are under investigation for their review of the missing persons reports, filed by the families of Ms Smith, Ms Ross and Ms Russon on the evening of Saturday March 4.
One is being reviewed for potential misconduct, while the other was previously served at the level of misconduct and is now possible facing gross misconduct.
In recent months we have widened the scope of our investigation, following consideration of detailed complaints made by the families of the young people involved.”
A statement from the IOPC
Another officer is being investigated for potential gross misconduct concerning their face-to-face communication with family members at a police station, and how they dealt with the information received.
There are then two officers at the level of gross misconduct regarding whether or not they conducted searches in the homes of two missing people.
One of these same officers is now under a criminal investigation for allegedly falsifying a witness statement.
Another two officers, at the level of misconduct, are being investigated for alleged comments made at the horrific crash site.
The watchdog stated the serving of these notices does not necessarily mean disciplinary or criminal proceedings will follow.
IOPC director David Ford said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families and friends of the young people who tragically lost their lives, those who were left seriously injured, and everyone affected by this incident.
“Since the start of our investigation, we have expanded our work to investigate a number of detailed complaints from the families affected.
“As a result, seven Gwent Police officers have been advised that they are under investigation.
“We continue to analyse a significant volume of evidence and assess whether police actions following the missing person reports were in accordance with local and national policies and procedures.
“At the end of our investigation, we will make decisions as to whether any officer should face disciplinary proceedings and whether any matters should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.
“While we have carried out additional work to address the concerns raised, we will conclude our investigation as soon as possible.
“It is important for all concerned that our independent investigation is comprehensive and thorough.”
A statement from the IOPC read: “In recent months we have widened the scope of our investigation, following consideration of detailed complaints made by the families of the young people involved.
“We are undertaking additional work to investigate those complaints which concern the police handling of the missing person investigations and communication with the families at the scene of the collision.”
Assistant chief constable Mark Hobrough, from Gwent Police, said: “We acknowledge the impact that this has had on them and understand how important the findings of this investigation will be to all those affected and the wider community,” he said.
“We have been and continue to fully support the investigation which is being carried out by the IOPC. It’s important that these matters are investigated thoroughly in an open and transparent manner.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the seven officers, who all serve with Gwent Police, have been served notices informing them they are under investigation.
They are:
It comes after court papers revealed the group of friends had been drinking alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide before the tragedy.
After leaving the Trecco Bay Caravan Park in Porthcawl, they were last seen at about 2am in the Pentwyn area of Cardiff, dropping off a sixth pal.
A major hunt for the group was launched after they were reported missing but it took 46 hours to find the wreckage.
After the horror, details emerged from a closed-doors court hearing held for Joel Lia, who had been driving the Volkswagen Tiguan an hour before the crash.
He was charged with driving without a licence or insurance in Porthcawl.
Detective Constable Joanne Mahony said Lia, 28, admitted driving the car on the M4 around an hour before he was dropped off – even though he didn’t have insurance.
The court papers state: “All other persons in the vehicle were intoxicated, by Joel’s admission, as they had been drinking alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide throughout the course of the evening.”
Lia admitted both charges and was fined.
Meanwhile, Mr Loughlin was jailed for dangerous driving and driving the vehicle while disqualified.
He was a passenger in the car when it crashed.
An initial inquest hearing into the deaths of Mr Jeanne, Ms Ross and Ms Smith heard they were declared dead at the scene of the crash.
An inquest was opened and adjourned in March and heard toxicology tests are still being carried out.
