Wife Plans To Visit Schools And Colleges Following Former RAF Bomb Disposal Expert’s Death Aged 33

The widow of a motorcyclist fatally injured when he was hit by a truck is launching a road safety campaign in her husband’s memory. 

Father-of-two Adam Ledger was killed when his motorbike was struck by a vehicle which had pulled out in from on him on the A378 at Stonehead Hill, near Taunton. The driver received a six month suspended prison sentence.

Lawyers support wife after husband dies in Somerset crash

Following the 33-year-old’s death his wife, Sam, instructed expert road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help the family access the specialist support they require and secure the future of the couple’s children Evie and Jack, aged nine and eight. 

The family’s legal team has secured interim payments which have helped secure the family home and will help fund the children’s education. 

Sam, 36, of Langport, has now joined her legal team at Irwin Mitchell in using Road Safety Week to warn of the dangers of careless driving. She is also planning on visiting schools and colleges in the area with police to hold road safety talks. 

Expert Opinion

“Adam’s needless and tragic death has had a profound impact on everyone who knew him, particularly Sam and their children who remain heartbroken by their loss.

“Sadly through our work we see too often the devastating consequences families can be left to face through people not paying attention on the roads. Nothing highlights this more vividly than what happened to Adam.

“Despite her grief Sam continues to show tremendous courage and her determination to help others by promoting the importance of road safety is hugely inspirational.

“We join her in urging all road users to take care at all times to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured.” Deborah Rose - Partner

Road accident: Adam Ledger's story

Adam, a former weapons technician and bomb disposal expert and Sam, a reservist physical training instructor, met when they in the RAF. They married in 2012. 

Adam had left the military to become a safety engineering manager while studying masters degree. He was out for a bike ride when a Mitsubishi Fuso truck pulled out of a side road and directly into his path at around 11.40am on Saturday, 12 December, last year. 

Wife's tribute to loving and kind husband

Sam said: “Adam was the best person I have ever known. He put everyone first and was always the person that people went to for help. Adam couldn’t do enough for everyone; he was such a loving and kind person. He would help the neighbours if they needed any assistance. Not long before the collision he went round in the middle of the night to fix a neighbour’s heating.

“Adam was amazing with the children. During lockdown he taught them and they really listened and learned from him. It was like he was a natural teacher.  

“Since the accident it’s difficult to find the words to say how our lives have been turned upside down. I can’t believe that my husband has been taken away from me and the children are not coping. How do you explain to them that their Dad went out on his motorbike and will never be back? 

“That he won’t get to see Evie and Jack celebrate life’s milestones such as passing exams, starting work or getting married is heartbreaking. Evie often asks who is going to walk her down the aisle now?

“Adam really was one of the most selfless human beings and the world is a much sadder place without him. 

Widow supports Road Safety Week

“Our family is lost and I have never known pain like it. We’ve had our future dreams stolen from us and we never even got the chance to even say goodbye or I love you, which I think is the hardest thing of all.

“However, I know nothing can turn the clock back. All we can do now is honour Adam’s memory by trying to find some good from all of this. The importance of road safety cannot be overstated and I want to do everything I can to spread the message when it comes to the need to take care on the roads. 

“I wouldn’t want others to feel the pain our family does.” 

The truck driver pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving in connection with the collision. They received a six-month jail term suspended for 18 months, a 12 month motoring ban and 150 hours’ community service.

Find out more about our expertise in helping people and their families following collision at our dedicated road traffic accident section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.  

Road Safety Week runs from 15-21 November and is organised by the charity Brake. This year’s theme is Road Safety Heroes and aims to celebrate those who work to improve road safety.