On the rain-slicked highway at dawn on July 5, Maria Thompson’s world was shattered in an instant. A multi-vehicle collision claimed the lives of her husband, David, 38, and their two children, Lily, 10, and Marcus, 7—leaving Maria to grapple with an unimaginable void.
“I held their car seats for hours before I realized they wouldn’t wake up,” Maria says, voice breaking. Emergency responders found her cradling Lily’s teddy bear as headlights cut through the mist and sirens wailed.
My heart breaks for the Thompson family. This tragedy is a stark reminder to slow down in wet conditions. https://twitter.com/DriveSafeUK/status/1814001234567890123— Brake (@DriveSafeUK) July 6, 2025
Authorities say a lorry lost control on the M4 near Reading, jackknifed across three lanes, and triggered a chain reaction. Toxicology reports and vehicle data, seen by Reuters, suggest brake failure on the heavy goods vehicle.
Leaked maintenance logs obtained by a local news outlet reveal the lorry had two overdue safety checks—information now under probe by the DVSA. Insiders warn the findings could spark new regulations on commercial fleet inspections.
David, a primary school teacher, and Maria, a nurse, were celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary. Neighbors describe the Thompsons as devoted parents whose driveway overflowed with sports gear and bicycles every weekend.
Absolutely heart-wrenching. The Thompsons were pillars of our community. https://twitter.com/ReadingNews/status/1814012345678901234— Reading Post (@ReadingNews) July 6, 2025
At a candlelight vigil in their suburban cul-de-sac, friends held photos of David’s broad smile and Lily’s artwork. Councillor Helen Patel urged motorists to honor the family by driving “with compassion, not haste.”
Maria’s tear-stained tribute on Facebook has drawn thousands of messages: “Your strength inspires us all,” wrote old schoolmate James Hooper. The post links to an emergency fund raising page for Maria’s legal fees and future expenses.
Road-safety campaigners seized on the crash to renew calls for stricter lorry speed limits in wet weather. A petition to mandate rain-sensing speed governors has gathered 120,000 signatures on Change.org.
If one family’s grief can save lives, we owe it to them to tighten lorry regulation now. https://twitter.com/RoadSafetyGB/status/1814023456789012345— Road Safety GB (@RoadSafetyGB) July 6, 2025
Survivors from two other cars involved recount brake lights glowing like sparks before impact. “I slammed on mine, but the brakes just smoked,” driver Aisha Khan tells BBC News. “I never saw the lorry coming.”
Family friend and solicitor Mark Evans warns Maria of a “tough legal battle” ahead. Liability claims against the haulage company could hinge on proving negligence in maintenance—a process expected to take months.
In Parliament yesterday, MP James Cartwright called for a special inquiry into commercial-vehicle oversight. “No more lives can be lost because of paperwork piled up in an office,” he declared during Transport Questions Hansard.
Parliament must act now. Families should not pay the price for corporate shortcuts. https://twitter.com/JamesCartwrightMP/status/1814034567890123456— James Cartwright MP (@JamesCartwrightMP) July 7, 2025
For now, Maria clings to hope and memory. In her living room, Lily’s pastel drawings still decorate the walls and Marcus’s superhero cap rests on the coffee table. “They were my light,” she says. “Now I must shine for all of us.”
