Father-of-five army veteran, 52, is killed on his motorbike in a crash involving a £29,000 Mercedes motorist, who is arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving high on drugs

  • Pete Tunstall, 52 years old, was out riding his motorcycle.
  • He was hit when a  Mercedes C200 and a Vauxhall Grandland X collided
  • As emergency crews arrived, Mr Tunstall was declared dead on the spot
  • Police arrested the Mercedes driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.  










An army veteran who served in Iraq and Northern Ireland has been killed on his motorbike in a car crash – with a £29,000 Mercedes driver arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving high on drugs.

Pete Tunstall, 52-year-old Retired Warrant Officer from Tring, Herts, was riding his motorcycle when a grey Mercedes C200 collided with a blue Vauxhall Grandland X.

The father-of-five was killed instantly in the crash, which happened in his hometown near the BP service station just before 4pm on October 29.

Police arrested the Mercedes driver, a 38 year-old man from Diss in Norfolk, on suspicion of causing death through careless driving under the influence of drugs or drug driving.

Detectives claim that he was taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station, Peterborough, and released after an investigation.

Today Mr Tunstall’s devastated family paid tribute to him, describing the former serviceman as having the ‘heart of a lion’.

According to their statement, “Pete was a loving husband and father, brother, uncle, and friend.”

Pete, a scouser of birth and big Liverpool FC FC fan, was a former warrant officer who served 22 year in the British Army in both the Royal Corps of Transport and later the Royal Logistics Corps.

Retired Warrant Officer Pete Tunstall, 52, of Tring, Herts had been riding on his motorcycle

Pete Tunstall (52), a Retired Warrant Officer, was riding his motorcycle in Tring, Herts.

The crash happened near the BP service station in Tring just before 4pm on October 29

The accident occurred near Tring’s BP service station on October 29th, just before 4pm.

“He was a very skilled and safe rider. He had previously competed in endurance rides on his bike and ridden offroad bikes. He had also been a close protection driver in the military and a rider in the military.

“He had a varied and varied career, serving all over the globe including Northern Ireland and Iraq. He retired from his career in Wales and became the Carmarthen Permanent Staff Instructor, where he met Tracy.

“Pete had a heart like a lion and was fiercely protective of his family. He loved Tracy, his children Ryan, Aimee, and his step-sons Alex, Jack, and loved them unconditionally.

“He was always there with a smile and a bear hug, and words of encouragement.

The driver of a grey Mercedes has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving ( stock pic)

The driver of a grey Mercedes was arrested on suspicion for drug driving ( Stock pic

“The baby of the family,” he leaves behind his brothers Tim and Ian, and his sisters Jaqueline (and Gillian). Pete was also a loyal friend who was proud to be a veteran and had just begun to reconnect with old mates.

“The loss of Pete has devastated the entire family and they are still trying to deal with it. Tracy would like thank everyone who offered support and comfort, and especially the military community who were truly amazing.

Police investigating the death are currently putting together a timeline.

They are examining the actions of both cars before the collision occurred.

Officers urge anyone with information to contact them, including dash-cam footage of collision or any vehicles involved in it.

Do you have footage or information? Contact: Beds, Cambs and Herts Road Policing Unit via web chat at https://bit.ly/3vsiYDw or online forms at www.cambs.police.uk/report quoting incident 265 of 29 October. Anyone without internet access should dial 101.

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