My ex died in horror Newport crash that killed two others… I will forever cherish our final hug, reveals pal of victim
THE heartbroken ex-girlfriend of a man killed in a horror car crash has shared a video of their last embrace – telling him “R.I.P. my friend”.
Rafel Jeanne, 24, and pals Eve Smith, 21, Darcy Ross, 21, died when their white VW Tiguan crashed near Newport, Wales in the early hours of Saturday.
Sophie Russon, 20, and Shane Loughlin, 32, were discovered alive inside the wreck 48 hours later off the A48 in St Mellons. They remain in a critical condition in hospital.
Charleigh Glanville shared the hard-to-watch clip of her final hug with Rafel as the pair got out a car one day prior to the smash.
She captioned the CCTV video: “The night before you lost your life.
“I will forever cherish that hug.
“R.I.P my friend.”
Charleigh went on to pay tribute to her ex – son of former-QPR and Cardiff star Leon Jeanne – sharing a series of snaps and videos of the pair together.
She added: “Never did I ever imagine I’d be saying this.
“Even though we had more than a friendship at one stage I’m so glad that I can say we remained friends no matter the situation…
“And I’m so glad that after a whole year I got to see you the night before you lost your life.
“It really is true when they say the good die young. You will truly be missed.”
Friends Sophie, Eve, and Darcy had been on a night out at the Muffler bar and club in Maeglas, Newport, on Friday evening.
Having arrived by car at around 11pm, it was here the trio met Shane and Rafel, whom the girls had never met before.
They are then thought to have headed to Shane’s family caravan in Trecco Bay, Porthcawl – around 36 miles from Newport.
Darcy had posted photos of her and Rafel partying that night to Snapchat.
But haunting CCTV shows the group’s car around 2am in the Llanedeyrn area of Cardiff where they reportedly dropped off an unnamed man.
Later that night their car came off a roundabout and ploughed into woods.
The group may have travelled around 85 miles in total that night.
The wreckage of the deadly crash was discovered by Matthew Pace, 45, and his son Lewis – who was close friends with Rafel – just after midnight on Monday.
Alongside the dead, they discovered bank worker Sophie hanging suspended in wreckage.
Her mum said she is “unrecognisable” from injuries – a bleed on the brain and fractured skull – and is under sedation after panic attacks in hospital.
Following the tragic discovery, Eve Smith’s grieving dad Everton paid tribute on Facebook, saying he was overcome with “numbness”.
He added: “It’s taken a couple of days and I just can’t believe what has happened, the pain and numbness constantly reminding me that I will never see my beautiful daughter Eve again.
“I would give anything to hear her sing a song again, fly high my queen, I loved you more than words can say and will cherish the 21 years I had with you bossing my life!
“My family and I would appreciate time to grieve and mourn.”
“Beautiful and bubbly” Eve starred in TV documentary after her sister was killed in car smash eight years ago.
Specialist officers are supporting the families of those involved and enquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, or send a direct message on social media, quoting 2300071791.
