A TORQUAY man has been jailed for over three years and disqualified from driving for five after a reckless attempt to undertake a vehicle went catastrophically wrong.

Toby Carter, 23, of Babbacombe Road, Torquay, previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in October at Exeter Crown Court and was sentenced on Thursday, December 4.

The Court heard how in October 2023, Carter had been driving downhill on the A380 Hamelin Way towards Kerswell Gardens when the VW Golf he was driving crashed into the central reservation and barrel rolled onto the opposite side of the carriageway and into the path of an oncoming vehicle, driven by Craig Jupe.

Tragically, Mr Jupe [pictured], who was aged 40 at the time, suffered catastrophic injuries, dying at the scene.

He had been driving home to Paignton after working in Exeter when his vehicle was hit.

His friend and front seat passenger sustained minor injuries in the collision.

Both Toby Carter and his front seat passenger suffered minor injuries.

Witness statements said how Carter had been seen driving erratically prior to the collision.

Carter was subsequently arrested, and following a complex 18-month investigation, he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison and disqualified from driving for 5 years on release from prison.

Detective Sgt Troy Bennett from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team, who led the investigation, 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 wished to pay tribute to him saying: ‘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’.