The aftermath of a tragic motorway crash that claimed the lives of siblings Gracie-Ann Lucas, aged four, and Jayden-Lee, aged three, has brought forth a flicker of hope as their bereaved mother, Rhiannon, has welcomed a new child. The youngsters were victims of a collision on the M4’s hard shoulder, caused by Martin Newman, who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Rhiannon says her seven-month-old daughter, Summer-Gracie, has been instrumental in helping the family pick up the pieces following the devastating incident.
Named after her late sister, Summer-Gracie was expected to be born on Gracie-Ann’s sixth birthday but made her entrance into the world early, on 30 March, weighing 6lb (2.7kg). The baby’s resemblance to her deceased siblings is uncanny, says 27-year-old Rhiannon, and she regards Summer-Gracie as a gift from them.
The fatal accident occurred in February of the previous year when the family was travelling from a Disney Frozen-themed party in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, to the Techniquest science centre in Cardiff. The perpetrator, Newman, had been consuming vodka and cider, alongside cocaine until 5 am on the day of the crash. His court proceedings revealed that due to his severe hangover and fatigue, he decided to make the journey home to Neath Port Talbot from Leicester, where he was employed as a painter and decorator.
Newman was found to be twice over the drink-driving limit and had cocaine in his system at the time of the crash. His Ford Transit van collided with the family’s red Ford Fiesta, which had been parked on the hard shoulder between Newport and Cardiff as Gracie was feeling unwell. The collision resulted in the death of Gracie and Jayden, while Rhiannon sustained serious internal injuries, causing her to worry about her ability to conceive again.
The arrival of Summer-Gracie has been a beacon of positivity for the family, according to Rhiannon’s partner, Adam, 28. He believes that Summer-Gracie has been central to their process of rebuilding their lives, offering a sense of normality amidst the tragedy. The family ensures that Gracie and Jayden’s memories remain alive, and their younger sister is aware of them.
The BBC’s Crash Detectives programme revealed electronic data from Newman’s van, indicating that it rammed into the stationary Ford Fiesta at 57mph (92km/h), without braking until two-and-a-half seconds before impact. The police found that Newman was straddling the hard shoulder and the inside lane when he caused the crash. CCTV footage from the M4 in South Wales showed Newman’s van driving erratically and tailgating other vehicles prior to the crash.
Newman, who had previous convictions for drink-driving and using his phone while driving, was discovered to have made or received 37 calls during his journey from Leicester to Newport. It was also found that he was not using hands-free and was streaming YouTube and Spotify during the drive. Newman was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison after admitting to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
With around 220 annual deaths on British roads due to drink-driving, accounting for 15% of all road deaths, and about 80 fatalities due to drug-driving, Rhiannon and her family have urged drivers not to drink and drive. They have also called for driving bans for offenders. The family’s plea is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of impaired driving. Rhiannon hopes people will understand the significance of their message and think twice before making such dangerous decisions.
