NHS nurse, 28, who moved from Spain to UK was killed in car crash next to her twin as her boyfriend drove her to airport in early hours after taking cocaine and drinking five pints at concert

An NHS nurse who moved from Spain to work in Britain was killed in a car crash next to her twin as her boyfriend drove them to an airport.

Nuria Zamel Casino, 28, her sister Marina Zamel Casino and Nuria’s boyfriend Matthew Jones were involved in a collision on the A472 in Crumlin, Caerphilly, at around 3:47am on January 14 this year.

They had been at a concert the night before with where Jones had downed five pints of lager and took a ‘considerable amount’ of cocaine. The trio woke up early in the morning to travel to Bristol Airport where Marina was due to fly back to Barcelona. 

Jones’ car was travelling at 29mph when it veered to the nearside, drove onto the pavement and collided with a wooden lamppost. Nuria, the front seat passenger, died after the crash, while Marina and Jones were left uninjured.  

Jones, of, Hirwaun, Aberdare, previously pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention. He was sentenced to a total of four years and four months imprisonment at Newport Crown Court. 

Nuria Zamel Casino, 28, was killed in a car crash next to her twin as her boyfriend drove them to an airport

Nuria (left), her sister Marina Zamel Casino (right) and Nuria’s boyfriend Mathew Jones were involved in a collision on the A472 in Crumlin, Caerphilly, at around 3:47am on January 14

Jones, of, Hirwaun, Aberdare, was sentenced to a total of four years and four months imprisonment over Nuria’s death at Newport Crown Court

Prosecutor John Ryan said: ‘Jones’ driving was clearly without due care and attention and affected by cocaine misuse, alcohol consumption and tiredness.’

The impact of the collision caused the car to spin 90 degrees in an anticlockwise direction, before coming to rest in the carriageway. 

A police officer arrived at the scene at 3.51am and spoke to Jones who was described as being ‘unsteady on his feet, pupils dilated and speech slurred’.

Nuria, the front seat passenger, was unconscious but making groaning sounds, while her sister Marina and the defendant were uninjured.

She appeared to stop breathing and the officer got her out of the car and gave her CPR before an ambulance took her to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

The court heard she suffered considerable blunt force trauma to her abdomen from the impact of the collision and compression caused by her seat belt. 

This caused lacerations to her liver and spleen and she needed a blood transfusion of 90 units.

Mr Ryan said: ‘The blood loss proved catastrophic and she was pronounced dead at 9.33am.’ Her cause of death was given as ‘blunt force injury in consequence of a seatbelt injury’.

Nuria (right), the front seat passenger of the car, died following the crash, while her sister Marina (left) and the defendant were uninjured

Nuria (pictured) suffered considerable blunt force trauma to her abdomen from the impact of the collision and compression caused by her seat belt

Nuria’s (pictured) cause of death was given as ‘blunt force injury in consequence of a seatbelt injury’

Jones failed a roadside breath test and a drugs wipe test found traces of cocaine and cannabis in his system.

He was taken to Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran to receive treatment for a fractured nose before being taken into custody.

The court heard he had one previous conviction for failing to comply with a red light and a caution for battery.

In a victim personal statement Nuria’s father Jose Zamel said: ‘From a distance we can only express our immense sadness and pain we feel only those who’ve lost a child can understand, the damage is multiplied and irreparable.

‘I hope the judge will be kind to Matthew Jones, we know with certainty he’s a good boy and will have enough punishment with his conscience from those terrible events for the rest of his days.’

Nuria had moved to Wales from Spain and was working as a nurse at the hospital where she died.

Mr Zamel continued: ‘She had a promising future at work, wanted children, bought a house in the country where it always rains and was happy.

‘Sending this young man to prison is not what the family wants but only law enforcement can judge him, not us.’

Nuria (pictured) had moved to Wales from Spain and was working as a nurse at the hospital where she died

One the day of the crash Nuria’s twin sister Marina (pictured) was due to fly back to Barcelona

Marina (pictured), Nuria and Jones had been at a concert the night before the crash 

In mitigation, Gareth Williams said Jones ‘feels guilt’ over his girlfriend’s death and attended Marina’s funeral and has spoken with her family.

He added: ‘A number of bad decisions were made by Mr Jones. What he should have done is not take any cocaine or drink.’

Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: ‘The effect upon those who love is unimaginable to those who have not gone through that process.

‘Their opinions as to what your sentence should be are not relevant to the court’s determination, the courts make that abundantly clear.

‘This is a case in which the public interest goes way beyond the views expressed by those who feel so keenly Nuria’s loss.’

Jones was also disqualified from driving for eight years and two months. 

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