T
ributes have been paid to a south London primary school teacher who was killed in a three-car crash in Dorset.
Warren Wright, 34, was in the back of the family car, near the village of Wool, caring for his six-month old baby daughter as they travelled back to London in July 2020.
On Monday, Stephen Sheppard, 41, from Bournemouth was jailed for three years and four months at Bournemouth Crown Court after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard how Sheppard collided with a caravan being towed by a Land Rover before crashing head on with the Ford Fiesta containing Mr Wright, his wife of nearly three years, and their baby daughter, who had only recently come out of neonatal care.
The 34-year-old father was pronounced dead at the scene while four other people were rushed to hospital for their injuries.
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Police discovered that Sheppard, who was also banned from driving for five years on Monday, suffered from sleep apnoea, but did not use a machine to assist with the condition.
Expert reports suggested it was likely he had fallen asleep at the wheel, resulting in him failing to negotiate a bend in the road.
In a moving tribute, Mr Wright’s family said: “Warren was a young man in his prime. His life ahead of him full of opportunity; he had everything to live for.
“His career as a primary school teacher was going very well. He was popular with the children, respected by his colleagues and recognised as leadership material by his employers.
“He was adored by his wife and loved by both his and her family. He was very family orientated and enjoyed organising family events.
“He had many friends, stretching back to his own school days, and was known for his playful sense of humour, his laid-back demeanour, and his caring attitude. He was very close to his mum and to his younger brother, who he doted on.”
The teacher, who loved sport, music, films and collecting Lego, had recently bought a run-down house in south London with his wife and was “honing his DIY skills” to turn it into a home for his family, said relatives.
Police Sergeant Mark Scammell, of Dorset Police’s traffic unit, said: “Stephen Sheppard chose to drive when he was not using the CPAP machine that he was required to use to allow him to drive safely.
“As a result of his failure to use the machine in the weeks and days leading up to 5 July 2020, it is believed he fell asleep at the wheel with devastating consequences.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of Warren Wright at this time and I would like to thank them for their support throughout the investigation and court process.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/warren-wright-south-london-tributes-stephen-sheppard-jailed-sleep-apnoea-b981238.html
