Mystery Fifth Passenger Dropped Off Before Fatal Cardiff Crash That Killed 3 Finally Revealed.
Joel Lia, age 27, has been identified as the unidentified fifth passenger in the Volkswagen Tiguan that crashed in St Mellons, Cardiff, killing Eve Smith, age 21, and Darcy Ross, age 21, along with Rafel Jeanne, age 24.
The identity of the mysterious fifth survivor of a horrific crash in which three people were killed can be revealed.
Joel Lia, age 27, exited the Volkswagen Tiguan before it veered off the road in the St Mellons neighborhood of Cardiff early on Saturday morning.
South Wales Police confirmed to GossipA-Z that the sixth individual involved – five passengers and a driver – is a witness in the ongoing investigation.
Eve Smith, 21, and Darcy Ross, both 21, as well as Rafel Jeanne, 24, were killed in the accident, which is still under investigation by police.
Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, continue to fight for their lives in the hospital.
The wrecked vehicle lay hidden for 48 hours before police were able to locate it, during which time concerned friends and family joined the desperate search.
Approximately two hours after exiting the A48(M), the vehicle crashed on a roundabout.
Friday evening, Joel, Rafel, and Shane were at the Newport social club The Muffler when they met Eve, Darcy, and Sophie.
Later, they all piled into a vehicle and drove 38 miles to the Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl.
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It is believed that Shane has a caravan there.
Following an altercation at the location, the group returned to the Welsh capital and dropped off Joel near his residence.
When the accident occurred, they had just refueled and were returning to Newport to take Eve, Darcy, and Sophie home.
As part of their investigation, South Wales Police detectives are attempting to identify the fifth passenger.
A source told The Sun about Joel, “He has been fully cooperative with the officers in the case and is understandably upset by the events of that night.”
As part of a Facebook tribute to Rafel, a friend posted a video of him and Joel exiting the white Tiguan on March 3, the day before the accident.
Several weeks before his death, Rafel was reportedly released from prison and reconnecting with old friends.
According to the South Wales Argus, Joel had previously served a “lengthy” prison term for trafficking crack cocaine.
Today, a police spokesperson stated: “A sixth individual is a witness in the investigation. We do not name witnesses.”
Police previously confirmed to GossipA-Z that they were investigating an alleged altercation that occurred at the caravan park during the group’s visit, but the specifics remain unclear.
Since then, the police have been made aware of a noise complaint lodged against the group with the park’s security station.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the actions of South Wales Police and Gwent Police during the group’s search, which lasted until shortly after midnight on Monday, March 6.
