Stolen Van Driver Sentenced After Deadly Wrong-Way Crash on A13
Ashley Loveday, 39, from Avondale Road, E16, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 9 March. He had earlier pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and aggravated vehicle taking.
Wrong-Way Van Chase Ends in Tragedy
The horror crash happened just after 2:30am on 25 November 2022. Loveday was driving a stolen van on the Essex-bound carriageway of the A13—going the wrong way. Essex Police officers had tried to stop the van after an ANPR alert showed false number plates. Loveday ignored signals and fled, driving 1.5 miles against oncoming traffic at around 71mph.
His van smashed into a Toyota Prius travelling the correct way. Grace Payne, 21, a passenger from Upminster, was killed instantly. The Prius driver suffered life-changing injuries. Loveday was injured but released from hospital after about a month.
Tribute to Grace Payne: ‘Forever Missed’
“Grace’s death has left us, along with the rest of her family and friends, devastated,” said her grieving parents. “She was caring, compassionate, bright, funny, and bubbly. Grace always made people happier. She loved children and dreamed of becoming a primary school teacher. She was just 21, enjoying life, work, and travel after graduating from the University of Kent. Tragically, she never made it home that night.”
Police Probe and Aftermath
Loveday was charged by the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit and remanded in custody. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is now investigating the events leading up to the crash, including Essex Police’s role in the pursuit.
