A 23-year-old BMW driver who killed a ‘superb’ rally driver in a crash just weeks before his wedding day has been jailed.
Louis Tavener ploughed head-on into an oncoming Ford Mondeo on the A3098 in Dilton Marsh on 11 April last year, killing Warwick Bayman.
The defendant, of Fell Road, Westbury, was driving at speeds of up to 78mph in a 50mph zone and in wet conditions when he lost control and struck the victim’s car.
Mr Bayman, a 63-year-old retired pilot, lorry driver and rally driver from Frome, was pronounced dead at the scene – just a few weeks before he was due to marry his fiancé.
The three passengers travelling in Tavener’s BMW were also injured, including Jenson Moore, who was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Tavener pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
At Salisbury Crown Court on Monday (18 November), he was jailed for eight years and six months – and will serve two thirds of his sentence behind bars. He was also disqualified from driving until he passed and extended re-test.
Mr Bayman’s sister Clare, speaking on behalf of her family, said: “The way in which my brother lost his life was slightly ironic.
“He was a commercial pilot, an HGV Class 1 driver and a superbly skilled rally driver who had nothing to prove on the road. Yet, he was killed by a driver who was going too fast for his level of driving experience.
“Warwick’s family, fiancée and friends will always hold him in their memories as being one of the really good guys and he will be greatly missed.”
Sergeant Rich Hatch, from Wiltshire’s Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “Tavener’s actions directly changed the lives of numerous people forever.
“Mr Bayman was only a few weeks away from marrying his partner when Tavener took both his and his fiancée’s future away. Our thoughts remain with Mr Bayman’s family and friends on this day.
“Wiltshire Police and the CPS have spent a year building the case against Tavener. His sentence today should serve as a warning to others who make conscious decisions to drive too fast in wet conditions.
“The actions of one driver can change lives forever and we urge people to consider the risks before doing so.”
