Tragic A13 Crash: Van Driver Goes Wrong Way, Kills 21-Year-Old Passenger
Wrong Way Van Sparks Deadly Collision
Just after 2:30am on Friday, 25 November, chaos erupted on the Essex-bound A13 when a van sped the wrong way and slammed into a black Toyota Prius. The van’s driver ignored Essex Police officers who were in pursuit and failed to stop before mounting the carriageway the wrong way.
Police followed the errant vehicle from the correct side of the road, but disaster struck when the van collided head-on with the Prius.
Grace Payne: Dead at Scene, Loved by All
Grace Payne, 21, from Upminster, was a passenger in the Prius and tragically died at the scene. Known to be caring, bubbly, and full of life, Grace had recently graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in history and philosophy. She had spent the summer travelling across Europe with friends and had just started a job at an architect’s firm in London, which she loved.
“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,” her parents said. “She made us proud in so many ways — caring, compassionate, bright, funny, bubbly. Her friends said she always brightened their day. She had plans to retrain as a primary school teacher and had a natural way with children at Brentwood Cricket Club, usually looking after the youngest age groups and offering cuddles whenever needed. She was the one looking after her friends on nights out, always making sure they got home safe. Last week, she joined work colleagues on a regular night out — tragically, she never made it home.”
Van Driver Arrested, Serious Condition
The 39-year-old van driver was taken to hospital in serious condition. Police arrested him on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. He remains in custody at the hospital.
The driver of the Prius is also recovering in hospital but is not believed to have serious injuries.
Police and Independent Investigations Underway
The Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is probing the crash, while the Independent Office for Police Conduct is reviewing the police’s role leading up to the collision.
Essex Police are urging witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to help piece together what happened during the deadly pursuit on the A13.
