In the early hours of Friday, 25 November, a tragic crash occurred on the A13 near Dagenham. A van travelling the wrong way on the Essex-bound carriageway collided with a black Toyota Prius at approximately 2:35am.
The van driver ignored police instructions and failed to stop before the collision. Essex Police officers had been pursuing the van from the correct side of the road after the driver did not comply with their orders.
The 39-year-old van driver, who is now in serious condition in hospital, faces charges including causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. He remains in custody at the hospital.
The driver of the Prius was taken to hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.
Grace Payne’s family issued a heartbreaking tribute following the tragedy: “Grace’s death has left us, along with the rest of her family and friends, devastated. We are struggling to come to terms with the fact that our daughter will never be coming home. How can we describe Grace? She made us proud in so many ways. Caring, compassionate, bright, funny, bubbly — she had an uncanny ability to brighten everyone’s day. When she left a room, she left it happier than when she arrived.
Grace loved children and dreamed of becoming a primary school teacher. She helped coach juniors at Brentwood Cricket Club, where she was always trusted with the youngest groups, giving cuddles when needed. She graduated from the University of Kent this year with a degree in history and philosophy. After enjoying summer travels across Europe — Italy, Greece, Sicily, Barcelona, Amsterdam — and family holidays in Devon and Wales, she’d started a job she loved with an architects firm in London. It had been a happy, exciting year.
Grace was just beginning to live life to the fullest after Covid. Always looking out for others, she was the friend who made sure everyone got home safely. Tragically, after a night out with colleagues last Thursday, she never made it home.”
The Met Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is leading the investigation into the crash. Separately, the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the events leading up to the collision, including the conduct of Essex Police officers involved before the crash.
Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage to assist with their inquiries.
Originally published by UKNIP.
