The family of Dr Steven Lee, a 26-year-old doctor killed when his motorbike collided with a tractor and trailer travelling at 25mph in Ross-on-Wye, have accepted his posthumous medical doctorate from Swansea University, describing the ceremony as the most bittersweet of occasions.
Dr Lee had enrolled at Swansea University to study medicine before the collision in August 2022. His sister Rachel accepted the doctorate on his behalf during a recent ceremony. The tractor, driven by Philip Baker, had a string of defects including a lack of an amber beacon, meaning there was no warning to other road users to lower their speed on the 70mph road before the smash.
Sentencing at Worcester Crown Court
Baker was sentenced to eight years in prison and disqualified from driving for nine years after being found guilty of causing Steven's death by dangerous driving at Worcester Crown Court.
Following the sentencing, Steven's family 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. We remember him as a loving son, adored little brother, entertaining uncle, wonderful partner and a great friend. He will always be missed.”
A life of service and achievement
Steven was a pilot officer who continued volunteering with the Air Training Corps after joining at the age of 13 and going on to gain the Queen’s Commission. He loved flying and was, in the words of his commanding officer, “A credit to his squadron and to himself.”
He was also an accomplished piano player and qualified as a piano teacher, but also had a taste for adrenaline, hence his love of motorbikes.
Steven studied for a biology degree and moved to Liverpool, with his mind set on a career in medicine. After his degree he took a job in Chester as a lab technician, where he met his beloved girlfriend Sophie who was at college there. Steven then took the opportunity to do a masters in Human Immunology at Liverpool University but never lost sight of his aim to study medicine so he enrolled at Swansea to do his medical degree.
Foundation to reduce road fatalities
Since his death, the family have set up the Dr Steven Lee foundation, which is aimed at trying to reduce fatalities on the roads by providing funds to provide advanced motorcycle training to new riders.
