The family of a man who died in a car crash have spoken out in support of his girlfriend, who was last week cleared of causing the crash that killed him.

Kornelia Konieczna, known as Nell to her friends, was acquitted of causing Sameer Monem's death by careless driving, after a three-day trial at Guildford Crown Court.

The couple, who were together two years, were driving home after a meal at Dexter's restaurant in Weybridge when her car careered off Heath Road.

Mr Monem, 28, grabbed the wheel of the car to save his Polish girlfriend, and took the impact of the tree they hit on his side of the car.

He died three days later in hospital after sustaining a skull fracture.

When news broke that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were prosecuting Miss Konieczna, 24, the Monems fought until the day before the case started to have charges dropped, on Tuesday, February 16.

Sameer's mother Irene Monem, who lives in Curzon Road, said: "We went to the CPS because we felt quite strongly that it wasn't her fault but they could only say they would take that into consideration. I think we were just another statistic to them.

"They both had seatbelts on, she wasn't speeding, the car was in working order, she wasn't drink-driving and she wasn't on a phone. This should never have come to court. It was a complete waste of taxpayers' money.

"I had to be there for her. I was convinced the case against her was fragile but I needed to support her."

Mrs Monem said she thought Surrey County Council was the only group with questions to answer, after it said no extra safety measures were needed.

In the five years leading up to the accident on November 3, 2008, there were 33 recorded injury accidents, three serious and 30 slight, with 49 casualties, four serious and 45 slight.

Mrs Monem still wants something done but said fighting seemed pointless because nobody would listen or take action.

A spokesman for Surrey County Council said: "The police investigate all highway fatalities and if they believe the road condition is a contributory factor they let us know so that we can take appropriate action. They have not contacted us about this fatality."

Mr Monem's 21-year-old brother Adham spoke to the Elmbridge Guardian about the beautiful relationship between Nell and his late brother.

They met in Red bar, Weybridge, and moved together in Addlestone before relocating to St George's Avenue in Weybridge.

He said: "It sounds funny but she liked his smile and the way he walked. She said he carried himself like he was proud. They were both smitten with each other. I remember when I would go round theirs - they would always be cooking, trying new recipes and sitting down having a glass of wine with each other.

"I just remember Sameer would always be cooking. He was an amazing chef, and when he got back from work he just loved relaxing with her. They were a beautiful couple. Throughout Sameer's life he always had so many girls love him, yet none of them really suited his personality like Nell.

"They were both fun loving people and they liked the bigger things in life, rather than all the glamour. Their idea of time together was enjoying good food and each others company, with him always singing to her and them listening to music, which they loved."

When Mr Monem died, the family discovered he had signed up as an organ donor at the age of 19, subsequently saving five lives, including that of a seven-year-old girl with a rare genetic disease.

Adham Monem said: "When he was 19, he went and filled in an organ donor form. When I was 19, I wasn't even thinking of doing something like that, with the intention of saving someone's life. That says it all."

When the not guilty verdict was delivered on Thursday, Mrs Monem said Miss Konieczna broke down and was "over the moon".

Mrs Monem said: "The poor girl lost her partner, their way of life and all hopes and dreams that she had for their life together.

"The not guilty verdict gives closure. Not for us, we've had that, but for Nell. She can go on with her life now."

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