Grace Payne Obituary, Death – Grace Payne, 21, was killed in the November 25 A13 crash. Her family claims she went out with coworkers on a Thursday night and ‘tragically never returned home.’ At 02:35 on Friday, November 25, a van traveling in the wrong direction on the Essex-bound A12 collided with a black Toyota Prius. The van did not stop for Essex Police before entering the A13. Essex police officers pursued the car on the right. Grace, a passenger in a Prius, died at the scene.
The van driver, 39, is still in critical condition in the hospital. He is accused of causing death by reckless driving and failing to stop for police. He is being held in hospital police custody.
The Prius driver was taken to the hospital but was not seriously injured. Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are looking into the incident. The collision and the involvement of Essex Police officers are being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Grace’s death devastated her family and friends, according to her parents. We can’t believe our daughter isn’t coming back. “How is Grace?” She made us proud on numerous occasions. Her friends described her as compassionate, caring, bright, funny, and bubbly. She left rooms happier than she had entered them. She was always eager to assist others.
She adored children and expressed a desire to become a primary school teacher when she reached the age of 30. She assisted her father and brother, Jack, in coaching the juniors at Brentwood Cricket Club, especially the younger age groups. Grace attended Kent University and majored in history and philosophy. With university friends, she traveled to Italy, Greece, Sicily, Barcelona, and Amsterdam. Devon and Wales were popular vacation spots. She passed her driving test, turned 21, and started working at her favorite London architecture firm. A happy, exciting, and busy year has come and gone. She was 21 when she met Covid and began to enjoy life.
Grace was known for making sure everyone got home safely when she went out with friends. Last Thursday, she went out with coworkers for drinks. Tragically, she died.”