Lorry driver ‘prone to sleeping on road’ guilty of dangerous driving after killing off duty cop in crash

PC Tris Baker who was killed in a smash with a lorry. (Essex police )

A lorry driver who regularly fell asleep at the wheel has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after he ploughed into a car driven by an off duty policeman.

PC Tris Baker, 41, was in a car struck by a lorry being driven by Robert Harrison near Chelmsford, Essex, in September 2021.

The Crown Prosecution Service had previously charged Harrison with causing death by careless driving but the charge was upgraded after further inquiries.

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.

Meanwhile he routinely only slept only between five and six hours per night and requiring strong doses of caffeine in order to carry out his day-to-day responsibilities, the investigation showed.

He was found guilty by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday and will be sentenced on 20 July.

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.

“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.”

The officer was travelling on the A1060 in Roxwell at about 1.50pm on September 23 2021 when the fatal collision happened.

PC Baker’s partner Sergeant Faye Matthams, also a serving Essex Police officer, said: “I would like to express my gratitude to Essex Police Serious Collision Unit, especially PC Jenny Pirie, the family liaison officer, for their support and for conducting a thorough and professional investigation.”