Alex Evans jailed after fleeing the scene when Grace Vater fell from his quad bike and died. He received a two-year sentence.
Grace suffered a serious head injury. She was unresponsive on Whitehouse Lane around 2 PM on December 23, 2023. Passers-by tried to help Grace. Her boyfriend of five years ran away and went home instead of assisting her.
Police arrested Evans at his house later that day. Grace was flown to a hospital and died two days afterward. She passed away on Christmas Day in Bristol’s Southmead Hospital.
Grace’s mom said she was kind, and friends knew her as Gracie. Her mom described Grace as generous and always friendly. Grace was caring, thoughtful, and bubbly. She was always happy and would do anything for anyone.
Her mom said Grace was her best friend and her death left a profound hole. Life will never be the same without her, and she cannot believe she must live without Grace.
Evans worked as a farmhand and drove the quad bike without a license. He was banned two months before the accident, following a drug-driving conviction back in April 2023. He hid the ban from his boss, fearing losing his job.
Police discovered the quad bike, which was for one rider, hidden in a lean-to. Evans admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. He also confessed to driving while banned and uninsured.
Evans said he panicked when he fled, Gloucester Crown Court heard. The judge called his actions shameful. The judge said he should have known the risks, and overloading the vehicle was dangerous.
His lawyer said it was a tragedy, Evans loved his partner, and he never would have allowed it. He felt great personal loss and must live with it forever. Evans, who is from Corsham, Wiltshire, got two years in prison and cannot drive for six years.