Tributes to doting dad Craig Jupe as driver who killed him is sent to prison
A grieving family have paid tribute to a loving dad who was killed after another driver’s reckless undertaking manoeuvre went wrong.
Craig Jupe, 40, was blameless in the accident which took his life. Mr Jupe was driving home from work when a VW Golf, driven by 23-year-old Toby Carter, crashed into a central reservation and barrel-rolled on to the other carriageway and into his vehicle.
Carter is now starting a jail term.
Mr Jupe’s family have paid tribute to him, saying: “Craig was a family man who made time for everyone. He doted on his two girls who are going to grow up without their dad and miss him dearly. Craig had his whole life ahead of him and he was cruelly taken from us. He will be forever alive in our hearts.”
Detective Sgt Troy Bennett from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team who led the investigation said: “The actions of Toby Carter were dangerous and utterly selfish, resulting in an innocent family man losing his life.
“Carter made the deliberate decision to drive as he did which has had a devastating impact on the family of Craig Jupe. I would like to commend the friends and family of Craig for their patience as we carried out our meticulous investigation. I hope today’s sentence sends a strong message to anyone who thinks it is ok to drive in this manner that it isn’t. Toby Carter’s dangerous driving has ruined lives, including his own, and he can reflect on that as he commences his lengthy prison sentence.”
The collision happened on the A380 in Torquay. The judge in Carter’s case was told that in October 2023, Carter had been driving downhill when his car, the VW Golf, crashed into the central reservation and rolled into Mr Jupe’s vehicle’s path. Witnesses said Carter had been driving erratically before the crash.
Mr Jupe suffered catastrophic injuries, dying at the scene. He had been driving home to Paignton after working in Exeter. His friend and front seat passenger sustained minor injuries in the collision. Carter and his front seat passenger suffered minor injuries.
Carter, 23, of Babbacombe Road, Torquay, previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in October at Exeter Crown Court. He has been jailed for three years and four months and disqualified from driving for five.