Banned driver high on drink and drugs killed friend in Milngavie crash

A driver, banned from being behind the wheel, killed his friend in a horror crash while under the influence of drink and drugs.

Stephen McGuire, who's 21, was speeding when he smashed a stolen Skoda Superb into another vehicle in Milngavie, in February last year.

Casualties

Ryan Wheeler was a backseat passenger in the Skoda and tragically, he didn't survive.

A 17-year-old girl was freed from the wreckage, but continues to receive treatment at a brain injury clinic more than a year later.

Following a probe into the crash, prosecutors ordered McGuire to be charged in November 2023 but he had gone AWOL.

It was only in May this year that he was finally held and appeared at the High Court in Glasgow today.

McGuire pleaded guilty to causing the death of Ryan as well as the serious injury of the 17 year-old girl by dangerous driving.

A judge told him it was "one of the worst" of these types of cases that he had heard.

McGuire was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.

The court heard how unemployed McGuire had never held a driving licence.

He was disqualified at the time having been banned from the road in August 2022 for a road traffic offence.

Witness accounts

The fatal crash occurred on Auchenhowie Road in Milngavie around 9pm that night.

An Asda delivery driver recalled the Skoda whizzing by as such a speed that it made him "jump". McGuire also went through a red light.

A couple were in their Audi going by the Rangers training centre when the Skoda went "flying past" and overtook them.

A man driving a Ford Tourneo in the opposite direction then saw McGuire's car coming towards him.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said the vehicles collided before the Skoda hit the Audi.

Mr Prentice: "The Skoda's momentum resulted in it rolling onto its nearside before it flipped onto its roof and bonnet."

Witnesses raced to help and saw people trapped in the Skoda including Ryan.

McGuire was one of those who managed to clamber out although moaned about a sore hand.

Two off-duty police officers happened to be in the area at the time.

They noticed both McGuire and a friend, who had also got out, to be smelling of alcohol.

McGuire stated: "We have just been in an accident and my hand is burst."

The drink driver and his friend were described as "shouting and screaming".

He ordered his friend: "Do not say anything, alright."

Over the limit

McGuire then went on to claim to other officers that he had not been in a car.

McGuire was found to have least 77mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 50mg.

There was also presence of a metabolite of a number of substances including cocaine and ketamine.

Mercy crews tried to save Ryan at the scene, but he had suffered fatal injuries.

The court heard he had been living at the time with his parents in Glasgow and is also survived by an older brother and sister.

A fourth passenger had also got out seemingly unhurt.

The court heard police had been instructed to arrest and charge McGuire in late 2023.

Officers made contact with his lawyer, went to his home and other addresses linked to him, but could not find him.

Friends and associates were also repeatedly spoken to with police carrying out regular checks in areas he hung about.

Mr Prentice: "He had been sought on several occasions and was aware the police were looking to speak to him.

"Despite best efforts of police, McGuire was not apprehended until May 4, 2024."

The court was not told where he had been prior to that.

Allan MacLeod, defending, today said McGuire now claimed to be "full of regret" for what happened.

The defence advocate also stated: "He has asked me to convey this to the court and to the family of Mr Wheeler, who was his friend."

Lord Colbeck deferred sentencing until November 12 in Kilmarnock.

He told McGuire: "This is one of the worst examples of dangerous driving that I have seen in this court.

"Be left under no illusion how bad this is."

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.