The family of Dr Steven Lee, a 26-year-old described as an "absolute genius" who "everybody loved", are campaigning for mandatory MOTs for tractors after he was killed when his motorbike crashed into the back of an unlit tractor and trailer on the A40 near Ganarew, Ross on Wye, on August 11, 2022. Steven was travelling from his family's home in Runcorn to Swansea to hand in his final assignment for his doctorate, which was awarded posthumously.
Philip Baker, 61, of Wonastow, Monmouth, Gwent, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial and was sentenced to eight years in prison and suspended from driving for nine years on September 22 this year at Worcester Crown Court. West Mercia Police found the tractor and trailer had several defects, including the lack of an amber beacon, which officers identified as the main factor for the collision, as Steven had no warning as he approached it on his motorbike at a normal speed.
'Absolute genius' who 'everybody loved'
Speaking to the ECHO from her workplace in Ellesmere Port, Steven's sister Rachel Sergeant explained how her youngest sibling was adored by those who knew him. She said: "He was our younger brother. He's the youngest of six. He was an absolute genius at everything that he did, he studied medicine at Swansea University, he was literally just about to get his doctorate which my parents picked up on behalf of him after the accident."
Rachel, 44, a regional manager for HGV recruitment agency Driving Force, added: "Everyone loved him. He didn't have a bad bone in his body. He was hilarious; geeky but funny. He was just an all round good person who everybody got on with. I've never met anyone like him. I was jealous. He was really annoyingly clever, in a funny way that you just couldn't not love him, it's such a waste, such a waste of life."
Steven, who was due to go on holiday in Scotland with his girlfriend Sophie the next day, died at the scene. He studied a biology degree in Liverpool before taking a job in Chester as a lab technician, then studied human immunology at the University of Liverpool before enrolling at Swansea University for a medical degree. He was also a qualified flying instructor, a qualified piano teacher by the age of 16, and an accomplished photographer.
'This is a big, big mountain to climb'
Following his death, Steven's parents, Diane and Richie Lee, travelled to Swansea to collect his doctorate, where the entire auditorium stood and applauded as they walked onto the stage. The family have now launched a parliamentary petition to introduce mandatory annual roadworthiness testing for agricultural vehicles, which has already seen more than 2,000 signatures. It needs 10,000 in total for the government to respond, and 100,000 to be considered for debate.
Rachel said: "We really need tractors to be regulated and it's, as I keep saying, not against farmers. They're so important to us and I know they're under so much pressure at the minute, but we need people to check your vehicle is safe. Make sure it's safe to go on the road. Somebody needs to say these are the standards that you have to work to and that's it."
Rachel is now calling for the legislation to be introduced as Steven's Law, with support from Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami. He said: "Steven Lee was just 26 when he was killed in a collision with an agricultural tractor that had several dangerous defects, including the lack of an amber beacon. Since then his family, including my constituent Rachel Sargeant, have been bravely campaigning for stronger regulation of agricultural vehicles used on public roads."
Alongside Steven's Law, the family have launched the Dr Steven Lee Foundation, which works to provide advanced motorcycle training to new riders. After the sentencing, police sergeant Michael Straughan said: "The lack of that beacon meant Steven was not properly alerted to its presence on the road, nor able to judge its speed properly which would have been less than 25mph on a road which has a maximum of 70mph for most road users. This neglect resulted in the fatal collision and the needless loss of life."
