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Teenager jailed over fatal crash | Teenager jailed over fatal crash |
(9 minutes later) | |
A teenager who drove at about 116mph shortly before a crash which killed his 16-year-old passenger has been detained for four-and-a-half years. | A teenager who drove at about 116mph shortly before a crash which killed his 16-year-old passenger has been detained for four-and-a-half years. |
Irving Gracie, 19, from Dumfries, had previously admitted causing Danny McQueen's death by dangerous driving. | |
Another passenger was also seriously hurt in the incident on the A75 near Dumfries on 21 February last year. | Another passenger was also seriously hurt in the incident on the A75 near Dumfries on 21 February last year. |
Mr McQueen's family said Gracie deserved "every second of his sentence and more". | |
As well as his jail term, the teenager was also banned from driving for 10 years. | |
The crash happened on the outskirts of Dumfries when Gracie's black Honda Civic hit a tree with such force parts of it landed 32m (104ft) away. | The crash happened on the outskirts of Dumfries when Gracie's black Honda Civic hit a tree with such force parts of it landed 32m (104ft) away. |
'Outrageous manner' | 'Outrageous manner' |
Danny McQueen, of Lovers Walk, in Dumfries, died at the scene. | Danny McQueen, of Lovers Walk, in Dumfries, died at the scene. |
Another passenger was badly injured and Gracie also suffered broken ribs and a spinal fracture. | Another passenger was badly injured and Gracie also suffered broken ribs and a spinal fracture. |
On sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lord Turnbull said the "outrageous manner" of Gracie's driving had been the "direct cause" of Mr McQueen's death. | On sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lord Turnbull said the "outrageous manner" of Gracie's driving had been the "direct cause" of Mr McQueen's death. |
Danny McQueen was a sincere, generous and compassionate young man, devoted to his parents, brother and sister, loyal to his friends and work colleagues Colin McQueenDanny McQueen's father | Danny McQueen was a sincere, generous and compassionate young man, devoted to his parents, brother and sister, loyal to his friends and work colleagues Colin McQueenDanny McQueen's father |
"As is always the case in offences of this type, the effect of your conduct extends far beyond the destruction of one life," he said. | "As is always the case in offences of this type, the effect of your conduct extends far beyond the destruction of one life," he said. |
"One would always have a sense of loss and hurt felt by the family of a young boy killed in such unnecessary circumstances. | "One would always have a sense of loss and hurt felt by the family of a young boy killed in such unnecessary circumstances. |
"However, to read a description of that loss in the words of the young man's own parents was truly heartbreaking." | "However, to read a description of that loss in the words of the young man's own parents was truly heartbreaking." |
He added that no sentence he could impose was capable of "undoing the harm" Gracie had caused and would "probably seem insignificant" to the victim's family. | He added that no sentence he could impose was capable of "undoing the harm" Gracie had caused and would "probably seem insignificant" to the victim's family. |
Lord Turnbull stressed that the court had a responsibility to bring home to drivers the dangers of excessive speed. | Lord Turnbull stressed that the court had a responsibility to bring home to drivers the dangers of excessive speed. |
However, he said that he had taken into account that Gracie, of Rowanbank Road, had no previous convictions and his early guilty plea. | |
Mr McQueen's family issued a statement through his father, Colin McQueen. | Mr McQueen's family issued a statement through his father, Colin McQueen. |
'Cries of anguish' | 'Cries of anguish' |
He said: "As a parent when you are told your child has been killed in a road traffic accident the devastation is unbearable. | He said: "As a parent when you are told your child has been killed in a road traffic accident the devastation is unbearable. |
"It was so difficult to endure for us all, but the hardest thing to bear was to hear the cries of anguish from Danny's seven-year-old sister from her bedroom when she was told that Danny was dead, never to come home." | "It was so difficult to endure for us all, but the hardest thing to bear was to hear the cries of anguish from Danny's seven-year-old sister from her bedroom when she was told that Danny was dead, never to come home." |
He described his son as a "popular young man" who had "everything to live for". | He described his son as a "popular young man" who had "everything to live for". |
The car hit a tree and was thrown through the air | The car hit a tree and was thrown through the air |
"Danny McQueen was a sincere, generous and compassionate young man, devoted to his parents, brother and sister, loyal to his friends and work colleagues," he said. | "Danny McQueen was a sincere, generous and compassionate young man, devoted to his parents, brother and sister, loyal to his friends and work colleagues," he said. |
He added that his family's pain was "remorseless and constant". | He added that his family's pain was "remorseless and constant". |
He said: "Irving Gracie decided to risk his own life and the lives of his passengers when he drove his car at excessive high speed. | He said: "Irving Gracie decided to risk his own life and the lives of his passengers when he drove his car at excessive high speed. |
"As a result he took away my son's opportunity of life and left our family and friends completely devastated. | "As a result he took away my son's opportunity of life and left our family and friends completely devastated. |
"Gracie deserves every second of his sentence and more." | "Gracie deserves every second of his sentence and more." |
Mr McQueen said he believed that lessons must be learned to stop such incidents happening in future. | Mr McQueen said he believed that lessons must be learned to stop such incidents happening in future. |
He said limiting the engine size on cars used by inexperienced drivers or restricting the speed on their vehicles should be considered. | He said limiting the engine size on cars used by inexperienced drivers or restricting the speed on their vehicles should be considered. |
"We don't want another family to endure the pain and suffering this crime has caused," he said. | "We don't want another family to endure the pain and suffering this crime has caused," he said. |
"We urge all drivers not to risk their lives and the lives of other road users and to consider the total devastation driving at excess high speed can cause." | "We urge all drivers not to risk their lives and the lives of other road users and to consider the total devastation driving at excess high speed can cause." |