Tributes to Wonford death crash man

THE heartbroken family of a young Wonford man who was killed when he was in collision with a van on his way home from work have paid tribute to their son.

Steven James Davidson-Hackett, 20, was driving his moped home from the Tesco superstore along Ludwell Lane when the incident occurred.

In a joint statement Steven's mum Sue, 42, dad Ray, 49, and sister Rebecca, 21, said: "We watched you grow into a beautiful young man whose character warmed the hearts of all those who knew you.

"You were, and still are, a star and that light will never fade – you have made us so proud.

"You'll always live in our hearts. Thank you."

Ray said: "Steven was the most loving, gentle, caring person you could ever wish to meet.

"He'd do anything for anyone. He loved his nan Hackett,and he'd jump on his bike and visit her the minute he knew she needed something, or just to check that she was OK.

"He was my second carer, he would drop everything in a second, change his plans to be here for me if I needed anything.

"He was the most perfect son anyone could wish for.

"He didn't deserve to die, and certainly not this way. We're devastated.

"He was a very happy person, loved life and was never in any trouble. He loved playing video games and he had some really great friends, many still from school."

Steven went to Walter Daw Primary School followed by St Michael's and then St Peter's School. He went on to study fitness and sports leisure at Exeter College and worked on the checkouts at the Tesco superstore at Exe Vale.

Steven had recently returned from a two-week holiday to Sweden to see his long-term girlfriend Camilla.

"Everyone loved Steven at Tesco," said Ray. "They're all in total shock, like us.

"He loved to work, he went for every bit of overtime he could and he loved learning new things. If there was ever any training offered he'd be the first in the queue.

"Since the day he started work, anything he wanted he would make sure he paid for it himself.

"A moped was the first thing he wanted to get when he was old enough, he didn't want a car because of the parking.

"But he said to me the other week that he wanted to get a car licence now, so that was what he was saving up for next.

"He was a young man living life to the full."

He added: "We have been told that he was killed instantly and didn't suffer. We've not been given any evidence he was at fault and we understand investigations are continuing.

"We will notify people of further arrangements for Steven in due course.

"His friends have been wonderful. And we appreciate their kind thoughts and support, but we need time to grieve."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision and the events leading up to the incident which is understood to have occurred on a sharp bend on the lane, at around 7.30pm, on Saturday, June 23. It involved a white Ford Transit Tipper van travelling towards Pynes Hill and a maroon Peugeot moped which was being driven in the opposite direction.

Two 24-year-old men who live in the area near to where the collision took place were arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Both men were then later released on police bail until August 22.

Anyone with any information about the incident which they think may help with police inquiries into what happened are urged to contact officers on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting police reference number, DE/12/6194.