Devastated dad’s heartache as ‘kind and loving’ Stoke City fan son, 38, killed in high-speed head-on crash – Stoke-on-Trent Live

The devastated father of a man killed in a road collision has paid tribute to his 'kind, loving and outgoing' son.

Stephen Bevans, aged 38, died after his white Peugeot van crashed head-on with a Land Rover Discovery on the A53 at Ashley on the evening of August 7 last year.

An inquest into his death at Stoke-on-Trent Civic Centre heard his mental health had deteriorated and he had been drinking and using cocaine when he decided to overtake several vehicles.

His van then collided with the Land Rover leaving its driver injured.

Other motorists stopped to help but Stephen was unresponsive. They were unable to free him from his van before it set on fire.

Now Stephen's dad, Robert Bevans, aged 65, of Blackbrook, near Newcastle, has paid a moving tribute to the passionate Stoke City supporter who suffered a brain injury after being hit by a car in the Dominican Republic when he was aged 25.

Robert said: "After he was injured he came home to live with his mum and and and we became his carers.

"Over a period, it was obvious to the family that Stephen had mental issues relating to his brain injury. We repeatedly took him to seek medical treatment but were repeatedly told he was ok.

"Gradually over the years Stephen became more independent and was able to lead a more normal life. He was a much loved member of the family, who was a kind, loving, outgoing personality who would befriend anyone. Sometimes he was taken advantage of because of his friendly, trusting nature and he was sometimes easily led.

"He loved to go to Stoke City matches where he made many friends and he also attended England football matches.

"Unfortunately his mental state would cause him problems from time to time and the last time we tried to get help for him we were told by the doctor he was over 18 and was a consenting adult and mum and dad had nothing to do with it.

"The family are devastated by the sad loss of Stephen. He would have been horrified if he had known someone else involved in the accident was injured, and we would like to wish the injured person a speedy recovery."

The inquest heard Stephen, who lived most of his life in Cheadle before moving to Blackbrook with his parents four years ago, was seriously injured when he was hit by a car in the Dominican Republic. He was in a coma for several months and suffered a brain injury.

His parents cared for him but in 2018 he became aware he still had a driving licence and, after taking an AA driving course, he started using the family business van.

On the evening of August 7, 2019 he visited pubs and drank alcohol before approaching a car on the Asda car park in Market Drayton.

Motorist Benjamin Thomas said Stephen produced a small clear package which contained white powder and stated it was crack. Mr Thomas said Stephen showed him a video on a mobile which showed a vehicle overtaking a line of vehicles.

Mr Thomas and his friend, Gregory Fagg, left in their respective cars and the defendant was behind them as they drove on the A53 in the direction of Newcastle.

Mr Fagg said: "All of a sudden a white van came tanking it down the outside of me. He went past me. He was really going. I would estimate up to 100mph."

The Peugeot van overtook several vehicles on the wrong side of the road before crashing head-on with a Land Rover Discovery.

Lorry driver Andrew Mills went to assist but Stephen was unresponsive and was not breathing.

Forensic collision investigator PC Brian Lovatt said four vehicles were damaged in the crash. He said the collision happened 120 metres from the start of the solid white line which Stephen contravened.

He could not say what the speed of the van was on impact but said it 'would have been significant'.

Pathologist Dr Paul Simcock, who carried out a post mortem examination, gave the cause of death as 'multiple injuries following a road traffic collision'.

A toxicology report showed Stephen had 135 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood - above the legal limit for driving of 80. And he had cocaine in his system.

Coroner Andrew Barclay said: "It is my finding of fact that the cocaine was taken proximate to the collision. He did consume it on the night.

"We know he was driving a Peugeot van. There is clear evidence from a number of witnesses who saw it being driven erratically, wheel spinning, driving at excessive speed, and weaving from side to side.

"He overtook a line of vehicles in contravention of a white line. He carried on to take a risk and it cost him his life. He was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle heading in the opposite direction, a Land Rover Discovery, that had very little opportunity to take evasive action. It had nowhere to go."

Mr Barclay concluded: "He died from a motor vehicle collision contributed to by alcohol and cocaine use."

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Devastated dad's heartache as 'kind and loving' Stoke City fan son, 38, killed in high-speed head-on crash - Stoke-on-Trent Live