Peebles driver admits killing his girlfriend in horror 100mph crash
Last updated 20th Aug 2024
A 28-year-old man from Peebles is facing a lengthy jail term after pleading guilty to causing the death of his girlfriend by dangerous driving.
Sam Barber was estimated to be travelling at more than 100mph in a 60mph limit on the A72 near Biggar, when he lost control of his new BMW M135.
His passenger Beth Damer (pictured above) - a 20-year-old NHS clinical support worker - never survived the smash, which happened around 4.30pm on March 12th, 2022.
The forestry worker, who already has previous convictions for careless driving and speeding, is due to be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh in October.
The High Court in Glasgow today (Tuesday) heard how Miss Damer had gone with her partner of one year to collect his new car the evening before the crash.
On the afternoon of the incident, the couple were in the BMW when witnesses described it as "shooting past".
One stated: "I watched in disbelief. I believe the car could have been well in excess of 90mph.
"I am well aware that on the road there is a camber, which made the speed of the car ridiculous."
Another driver recalled the BMW then "losing control" before it hit a fence and ploughed into a field.
The motor also rolled onto its roof once or twice. This witness stated: "He went past me...as if like a rally car sliding at an angle."
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People rushed to the crash scene to help as Barber frantically waved for assistance.
The passenger door was ripped off and Miss Damer was trapped under the badly damaged car.
Prosecutor James Irvine said mercy crews arrived including a doctor flown in by helicopter.
Miss Damer, of Crawford, Lanarkshire, died from her injuries.
Barber - who was also hurt - was heard by a police officer that afternoon to state: "I hate myself."
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Mr Irvine told the hearing: "Collision investigators examined the scene and formed the opinion Barber was driving at a speed of 103mph.
"The A72 is restricted to a national speed limit for cars of 60mph."
He added the cause of the smash was "solely" how fast the BMW was going.
Marco Guarino, defending, later told the court: "Rarely have I seen such devastation in an accused person, but that is nothing to what the family of Beth Damer are suffering.
"Nothing will make up for their loss."
The solicitor advocate asked for the dad to remain on bail stating the guilty plea had only recently been agreed and Barber had personal matters to sort.
However, he was "under no illusion" he will eventually be jailed.
Lord Arthurson said in the "exceptional" circumstances he would continue bail, but said Barber will receive a "very significant" jail-term when he is sentenced in October in Edinburgh.
Barber - who had six points on his licence at the time - was disqualified from driving meantime.
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