Drink-driver jailed for killing dogwalker in hit-and-run
An "utterly intoxicated" drink-driver who knocked down and killed a woman as she walked her dog has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years.
An "utterly intoxicated" drink-driver who knocked down and killed a woman as she walked her dog has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years.
Speeding Darren Ferris, who had been drinking large quantities of Buckfast, was over the limit and disqualified from driving when he lost control of his car and ploughed into mother-of-one Linda Carson.
Mrs Carson, 44, suffered multiple severe injuries and died at the scene of the crash, which happened at about 8pm in a residential area of Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, on September 27 last year.
Ferris, who abandoned the car and fled the scene, previously pleaded guilty to causing Mrs Carson's death by driving dangerously whilst under the influence of alcohol and at excessive speeds.
The 25-year-old - who has a number of previous convictions, including two for drink driving - also admitted driving while disqualified, without a licence and with no insurance on the day of the fatal crash.
Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, Judge Lord Turnbull jailed Ferris for nine-and-a-half years and disqualified him from driving for 12 years.
He said Mrs Carson was in the prime of her life when she was killed outright in the crash.
"The sentence I must impose will probably seem insignificant by comparison with the sentence which you have imposed upon that family," he told Ferris.
Mrs Carson was taking her dog Buster for a walk when she was hit by Ferris' Ford Mondeo in the town's Muirhouse Road.
Several local residents and pedestrians witnessed the tragic events.
Outlining the circumstances of the case, advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, told the court last month: The accused was seen driving the Mondeo at excessive speed and causing some observers to make comments that the car was 'flying past' and the accused was driving 'like an idiot'.
Many heard loud screeching just prior to an 'almighty bang' as the car collided with a wall and the deceased.''
He said Ferris had been unable to control the car on a right-hand bend, which caused it to leave the road and mount the pavement.
The prosecutor went on: One witness heard a scream cut short by a thud just before the collision with the wall.''
An unsteady Ferris got out of the car and spoke to Mrs Carson, who was lying on the pavement.
One onlooker saw him put his hands to his head and shout for f***'s sake'' before he jumped over the bonnet of the car and fled to his home in Grange Tower.
One of those who tried to help Mrs Carson called the mobile number on the dog's collar and got Mr Carson. He rushed to the scene with his 11-year-old daughter.
They were confronted with the tragic scene and had to be comforted by locals,'' Mr Prentice said.
Mrs Carson was declared dead at 8.45pm. Police went to Ferris's home at around the same time, where they arrested him.
Two breath tests he gave at the station for alcohol provided readings of 63 and 55 micrograms. The permitted level is 22.
Mrs Carson's family are said to be devastated at her untimely death in such an atrocious manner''.
Tony Graham, defending, said he was instructed by Ferris to express his remorse and sorrow'', and to apologise for what had happened.
Mr Ferris recognises that he has caused utter devastation to the family,'' he said.
Lord Turnbull said Ferris was utterly intoxicated'' at the time of the crash.
He told Ferris, who turned 25 on the day he was sentenced: Your behaviour on that evening, when seen in the context of your previous offending, demonstrates that you have no sense of the civilised values by which others in our community live their lives and that the concept of responsibility is unknown to you.''
Speaking after sentencing Jennifer Harrower, Procurator Fiscal for Homicides and Serious Crime in the West of Scotland, said:
“Darren Ferris’s selfish and highly irresponsible actions led to the tragic death of Linda Carson.
“He chose to drive while under the influence of alcohol and that decision resulted in a woman losing her life, leaving her family completely devastated. .
“Our thoughts are with the family of Linda Carson and it can only be hoped that the conviction and sentence will contribute in some way to their coming to terms with what has happened.“
The court also heard that Ferris was disqualified from driving, had no insurance cover and has never passed a driving test. He abandoned the vehicle and fled to his nearby home where he was arrested.