A speeding drink-driver who caused the death of a teenager who messaged “I may not survive tonight” while a passenger in his car has been jailed for eight years.
Erin Slane, 19, was a passenger in a car driven by Kyle Patrick which crashed into a field in Perthshire on September 1, 2024, after he drove at “grossly excessive speeds”.
A court previously heard she messaged friends during the journey saying: “I may not survive tonight. I’m scared. Kyle is steaming.”
Patrick, 23, pleaded guilty at a previous court hearing to a charge of causing her death by dangerous driving, and causing serious injury to another passenger.
He admitted repeatedly driving at “grossly excessive speeds” on the journey towards Gowrie Farm in Perthshire, losing control of the vehicle, which crossed on to the opposite carriageway, went down an embankment, hit a fence and rolled over several times in a field.
Ms Slane was so seriously injured she died at the scene while another passenger was seriously injured.
Lord Harrower sentenced Patrick to eight years behind bars when he appeared for sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.
He said the incident was “no mere lapse of judgment” on Patrick’s part and that he had demonstrated a “prolonged and deliberate course of driving at grossly excessive speeds while impaired through alcohol”.
The judge said: “Erin was 19, about to start university and had her whole life ahead of her.”
He said Patrick’s actions had brought “terrible devastation” to the family and said: “No sentence of this court can alleviate their anguish.”
As part of the charge, Patrick admitted driving while his ability to do so properly was impaired because he had consumed alcohol.
The 23-year-old, of Scone, Perthshire, also admitted driving up to a taxi rank in Perth that day and offering to take people to their home addresses.
Lord Harrower also banned Patrick from driving for 10 years.
The court heard Patrick drank in several pubs in Perth on the evening of August 31, 2024 and at around 11.30pm began offering people lifts from a taxi rank.
In the early hours of the following morning he agreed to drive two young women, with Ms Slane in the front and her friend in the back. They were both wearing seat belts.
The court heard that on the journey he reached a speed of 119mph in a 60mph area before losing control of the vehicle, and that his blood alcohol level was “exceptionally high”.
Following the crash he called police to report what had happened.
Tony Lenehan KC, representing Patrick, said the defendant feels the “true weight of his remorse”.
He said: “He understands that he will and must pay a heavy price for his actions.”
He added: “He stayed at the scene, called for help and told the truth.
“His remorse is genuine. He knows none of that will be of much comfort to the families affected by his actions.”
Sergeant Steve Livesey said: “Patrick drove Erin and her friend whilst under the influence of alcohol and at excessive speeds.
“Our thoughts remain with Erin’s family and friends, and with all others affected by Patrick’s reckless actions that night.
“Alcohol significantly increases the risk of collisions, and the consequences can be devastating.
“Police Scotland remains committed to working with our partners to reduce road casualties and fatalities. Everyone has a part to play in keeping our roads safe.”