The family of a man who was killed when a boy racer speeding to visit his new sweetheart in London lost control of the car, before cowardly fleeing the scene on foot, have paid tribute to the father-of-three.
Thame labourer Pete Chamberlain was starting a night shift driving towards Heathrow on the M40 between junction 2 for Beaconsfield and 1a for the M25 when he killed in a catastrophic crash caused by 28-year-old BMW driver Gagandeep Rai, from Slough.
Rai was weaving through the 8pm traffic in September 2019 at racing speed, driving “like an idiot” as he undertook and overtook cars at up to 112mph.
He was jailed for seven years and two months in March for causing death by dangerous driving.
Mr Chamberlain’s widow Gemma has paid tribute to the ex-firefighter who she described as a “doting daddy” who was “loved by so many”.
She said: “Pete, our world fell apart the night you left us. I still wait for you to walk through the door and see your smile.
ALSO READ: Speeding driver killed father-of-three after losing control of BMW on M40 - and then fled the scene
“You were the first man I loved. I am so lucky to have had 16 years with you, although it should have been forever.
“Your life was your kids. You were a true family man who would do anything for anyone.
“You worked so hard for us, to give the kids everything they wanted, I hope you know how grateful I am for everything you did, I just wish I could tell you again.
“A doting Daddy to our three amazing children, they were precious to you, all three are just like you in so many ways and all I have left of you.
“They miss you dearly just like I do. Everything about you is missed, your voice, your laugh, your jokes, your kind caring heart. You were loved by so many.
“We have lost an amazing man, and this will affect us for the rest of our lives but now the trial is done, we can grieve how we need to and move forward the best we can.
“I want to thank all emergency services who were in attendance on that evening, people we take for granted and what they have to deal with.
“Pete being an ex-firefighter himself would have utmost respect for you all – as do I.
ALSO READ: Man charged with causing death by dangerous driving after father-of-three died in M40 crash
“Thank you to Dawn our family liaison officer who has been a great support since that day, kind, caring and just amazing even to this day.
“Thank you to all at TVP who worked so, so hard to piece everything together to get some justice for Pete and Paul. I can’t thank you enough.
“No sentence will ever be enough.
“Pete, your time with us was taken too soon. Sleep tight darling. Love always and forever.”
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