Drink driver caused friend's death in smash

May 7 2008 By our court reporter

A BOOZED-UP driver caused the death of a friend in a horror crash.

The High Court in Glasgow was told that callous Gary Wilson, from Uddingston, fled the scene, leaving 18-year-old Jennifer Kane fatally injured in the wreckage.

Jennifer, of Camp Road, Baillieston, who was the front seat passenger, was knocked unconscious and suffered massive head injuries in the horror impact.

Wilson, who lost control of his Vauxhall Corsa as he drove at speed into a right hand bend, had earlier downed six pints.

The car came off the road and smashed into a wooden fence.

Wilson (20), 65 New Edinburgh Road, admitted causing Jennifer’s death by careless driving, while unfit through drink, and while driving at excessive speed.

The accident happened on the A89 Coatbridge Road, Glasgow, at around 5.20am on December 4, 2006.

Jennifer was knocked unconscious and suffered severe injuries after her head struck pieces of the wooden fence.

She died in hospital three days later.

Iain McSporran, prosecuting, said that her family were devastated by her death and added: “They are finding it very difficult to cope with her death. She had enrolled at college to study sociology.

“She was a bubbly girl, a typical teenager and the life and soul of the party.

“She leaves a sister, now 16, and there is also a new additon to the family, a 13-week old boy, a brother Jennifer has never seen.”

The court was told that motorists stopped at the scene and administered aid to Jennifer until an ambulance arrived but Wilson left her there.

Mr McSporran said police were asked to look out for the driver and a short time later officers saw him walking in Bargeddie.

The prosecutor added: “The officers noticed a smell of alcohol coming from him and asked him if he had been involved in a road traffic accident and he said: ‘no’.”

Wilson eventually admitted he had been the driver.

Mr McSporran said: “He said he had been driving and lost control.

“He said he had six pints of beer some time prior to the accident.

“He said Jennifer had been a friend for five years. He had picked her up at 4.45am by arrangement.

“He said he began to lose control at a right-hand bend. He estimated he was travelling at 55 to 60 mph.”

An expert calculated that, at the time of the crash, Wilson had an alcohol count of about twice the legal limit. Road traffic investigators estimated the car was travelling at between 45 and 55 mph.

Temporary judge Michael O'Grady QC disqualified Wilson from driving and deferred sentence on him for background reports.