Torquay driver, 23, jailed for causing death of Paignton father returning home from work

A Torquay man has been jailed for more than three years after causing the death of a Paignton father in a crash on the A380.

Toby Carter, 23, of Babbacombe Road, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on 4 December. He was jailed for three years and four months and disqualified from driving for five years after release.

The collision happened in October 2023 on Hamelin Way, as Carter drove downhill towards Kerswell Gardens in a VW Golf. The vehicle struck the central reservation, rolled several times into the opposite carriageway and collided with an oncoming car driven by 40-year-old Craig Jupe.

Mr Jupe, who was driving home to Paignton after finishing work in Exeter, died at the scene from catastrophic injuries. His front seat passenger sustained minor injuries. Carter and his passenger also received minor injuries.

Witnesses reported seeing Carter driving erratically before the collision, including tailgating another vehicle and attempting to undertake before swerving to avoid a car already in that lane. He lost control and veered from lane one to lane two before crossing the central reservation.

Carter was arrested following the crash. After an 18-month investigation, he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Detective Sergeant Troy Bennett, from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team, 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 family of Craig Jupe said: “The past two years have been very difficult for us all. 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.”