A Wiltshire man has been jailed after a 22-year-old woman died when she fell from the back of his quad bike.
Fatal Incident on Whitehouse Lane
On December 23, 2023, 31-year-old Alex Evans was riding a single-seat quad bike with Grace “Gracie” Vater seated side-saddle on the rear rack.
While traveling along Whitehouse Lane near Shipton Moyne, Gracie fell onto the road, sustaining a severe head injury.
Witnesses reported that she was breathing but unresponsive. Passersby immediately stopped to help, performing CPR before air ambulance crews and emergency services arrived.
Tragically, Gracie succumbed to her injuries and died two days later, at 7 PM on Christmas Day, at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Evans Fled the Scene
Instead of staying with Gracie, Evans fled the scene, an action described by Judge Rupert Lowe as “cowardly and shameful.”
Evans later admitted he panicked because he knew he was driving while disqualified—having been banned just two months earlier for drug-driving (cannabis).
Police later found the quad bike hidden in a lean-to building, tucked behind a pallet door.
Court Sentencing
Following an investigation by Gloucestershire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team, Evans was charged and pleaded guilty to:
- Causing death by dangerous driving
- Driving while disqualified and uninsured
At Gloucester Crown Court on February 13, Evans was sentenced to:
- Two years in prison for each count (to run concurrently)
- A six-year driving disqualification
He must serve at least half of his sentence and will be required to pass an extended test before regaining a driving license.
Family’s Heartbreaking Tribute
In a moving statement, Gracie’s mother, Angela Vater, described her daughter:
*”She was always so kind and friendly to everyone she met. She was caring, thoughtful, generous, and bubbly. She was so happy all the time and would do absolutely anything for anyone.
Gracie was my best friend. Her loss is profound, and words cannot begin to convey just how much of a hole her death has left in my life.
Alex and Gracie were in a relationship for a long time, and he was welcomed into our family. But how Alex behaved after the crash makes me incredibly angry and upset. To treat her with such disregard and not stay with her is unforgivable.”*
Court’s Findings on Unsafe Practice
The court heard that Evans regularly carried Gracie on the rear rack of the quad bike, despite it being designed for only one rider.
Judge Lowe stated that while both parties had engaged in an unsafe habit, Evans, as the driver, bore full responsibility.
Evans’ defense barrister, Matthew Harbinson, argued that Evans did not realize the risk and would have never allowed it if he had known the dangers.
Previous Driving Ban
The court also heard that Evans was already disqualified from driving due to a drug-driving conviction (cannabis) in April 2023.
To avoid losing his farm job and accommodation, he hid the ban from his employer and continued driving illegally.
A Life Cut Short
Gracie’s death has left an irreparable void in her family’s life, and the case serves as a devastating reminder of the consequences of reckless and irresponsible driving.
⚠️ This is a developing story—further updates to follow. ⚠️
