A 61-year-old tractor driver has been jailed for eight years after a crash that killed a doctor who was riding a motorbike on the A40 in Herefordshire. Philip Baker, of Wonastow in Monmouth, Gwent, Wales, was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving at Worcester Crown Court on July 28. He was sentenced on Tuesday, September 22, and also banned from driving for nine years.
The collision happened just before 10pm on August 11, 2022, near Ganarew in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire. Dr Steven Lee, 26, was riding his motorbike on the 70mph road when he hit the tractor and trailer, which was travelling at less than 25mph. The tractor and trailer had multiple safety defects, including a lack of an amber beacon that should have warned other road users of its slow speed.
Defective tractor and trailer
West Mercia Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit said the tractor and trailer were in a poor condition and overloaded with straw bales. The trailer's brakes did not work and were not connected to the tractor cab. The hydraulic line between the two was poorly maintained, and the lights cable was held on by baler twine.
Baker had been drawing straw from a field and was travelling towards Monmouth on the A40 before the crash. The court heard that the lack of an amber beacon meant Dr Lee had no warning as he approached the tractor at normal speed, and he could not judge its speed properly.
Family tribute to 'loving son'
In a statement, Dr Lee's family described him as a 'loving son', 'adored little brother', 'entertaining uncle', 'wonderful partner' and 'great friend'. They said: "Steven's life was lived to the absolute fullest and he achieved so much in the time he had. He was able to help, support and contribute to the lives of so many people and did not hesitate to do so."
Sgt Michael Straughan, road death lead investigator, said: "We are pleased to get this sentence for Baker whose tractor and trailer were not only in a poor condition but crucially were also not displaying the amber hazard beacon. The lack of that beacon meant Steven was not properly alerted to its presence on the road, nor able to judge its speed properly which would have been less than 25mph on a road which has a maximum of 70mph for most road users."
Foundation launched in memory
Sgt Straughan added: "This neglect resulted in the fatal collision and the needless loss of life. We know no sentence can ever make up for the loss they have suffered, but we hope today's result will help Steven's family and friends at what remains an incredibly difficult time, with this incredibly tragic loss of life for a bright young man who has his whole life ahead of him."
Dr Lee's family and friends have since launched a foundation in his memory. The foundation aims to reduce the number of fatalities on the roads in England and Wales caused by motorcycle accidents, support new riders and enhance their road safety.
