Clacton lorry driver prone to falling asleep while driving killed Essex police officer in crash

A serving Essex Police officer was killed by a lorry driver who was vulnerable to falling asleep in monotonous situations, a court has heard. PC Tris Baker was off duty and travelling on the A1060 in Roxwell at about 1.50pm on September 23, 2021, when the car he was driving was struck by a lorry being driven by Robert Harrison.

The collision left Tris, 41, dead at the scene. He was a serving officer with a focus on children and young people, based in Brentwood. He left behind a wife and three children at the time of his death.

Harrison, 38, of St Clair Close in Clacton, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Harrison admitted the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving but a decision was made to pursue a conviction for the more serious offence.

As part of the investigation into Harrison’s sleep history it transpired that he was vulnerable to falling asleep in monotonous situations such as driving on a familiar road, sleeping only between five and six hours per night and requiring strong doses of caffeine in order to carry out his day-to-day responsibilities. On Wednesday (June 14), Harrison was found guilty by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving.

Detective inspector Mark Fraser, who led our investigation, said: “Harrison’s actions led to Tris, who was deeply loved by his friends and family, losing his life on September 2021.

“Although Harrison pleaded guilty to the death by careless driving offence, the evidence indicated that this incident was dangerous driving as opposed to careless driving. We pursued the more serious charge and today the jury have returned a guilty verdict which matches the gravity of the situation.

“Those who were close to Tris have handled themselves with the utmost dignity in the 18 months since the tragic incident and the whole investigative team has been humbled.

“Tris was well loved at home and in the force and I know nothing can ever change what happened, but I sincerely hope today’s outcome can be of some comfort to everyone close to him.”

Harrison will be sentenced on July 20 this year.

References

^{^} Mother and child rushed to hospital after crash (www.essexlive.news)