Cardiff crash: Man arrested as part of investigation into collision which killed three

Police have arrested a 32-year-old man as part of its investigation into a crash in Cardiff which killed three people.

Officers said a white Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle left the A48 in the St Mellons area of Cardiff into a wooded area on Saturday 4 March.

It was not discovered for nearly 48 hours.

Passengers Darcy Ross and Eve Smith, and the driver Rafel Jeanne, died in the crash.

The offences for which the man has been arrested are not connected to the deadly crash itself, South Wales Police said.

But a detective said the arrest was connected to the same vehicle.

The man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while disqualified on the M4 at around 10pm on 3 March.

South Wales Police say he has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies of South Wales Police said: “The arrest was made as a result of evidence identified by officers investigating the fatal collision and involves the same vehicle.

“Our detailed investigation is continuing which will enable us to provide the facts of what happened during the early hours of Saturday 4 March.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the families and all those affected by this tragic incident.”

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How the investigation into Cardiff crash unfolded
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Friends and family of the victims have previously questioned why the vehicle and passengers were not discovered for nearly 48 hours after the crash.

The vehicle was discovered by Lewis Pace, Rafel Jeanne’s best friend, along with his father Matthew.

They told Sky News police turned up “about a minute” after they arrived.

Mr Jeanne’s sister, Ffion Actie, told Sky News at a vigil held in memory of the victims in March that she felt “disappointed that maybe things weren’t done sooner”.

She said: “I heard the girls’ mums had contacted [police] but it had taken several hours [to respond].

“I feel they should have acted straight away.”

South Wales Police previously said specialist officers were “carrying out a detailed investigation” and that families were receiving support from liaison officers at a “hugely difficult time” for them.

Both South Wales Police and Gwent Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after the incident.