Family of teen killed in car crash asks judge not to jail driver

The family of a road accident victim asked a judge not to incarcerate the driver found guilty of causing his death.

Jay Morrison, 19, died after his Vauxhall Corsa spun out of control and hit a lamp post.

Bill McKenzie, 21, admitted causing death by careless driving following the incident in Pollok, Glasgow, in September 2021.

But in a move described as “extraordinarily compassionate”, the teenager's relatives asked Judge Lady Poole to show McKenzie leniency.

Advocate depute Gavin Dewar told the hearing at the High Court in Glasgow that their suffering following the death was “incalculable”.

However, he added that Morrison's driving that night – he passed McKenzie on the inside at one point – also “dropped”. below standards” to be expected.

Dewar said: “While they continue to grieve, Mr Morrison’s family is also realistic about the significant role his actions played in this tragedy.

“They are keen to ensure that no further pain is caused to anyone else involved as a result of the death. »

Dewar added: “While sentencing is always discretionary for the judge, the Crown, perhaps unusually, respectfully invites your Lordship to consider the views of the next of kin when considering the decision appropriate in this most upsetting matter.

“Mr Morrison’s family would like to make it clear that they do not wish to see Mr McKenzie imprisoned for his role in what happened.”

McKenzie, a heating engineer from Barrhead, Renfrewshire, has had his bail continued and will learn his fate later this month.

The crash happened on the A726 Nitshill Road, near Levern Bridge Road in Pollok. Road work was underway in the area at the time.

Dewar said McKenzie and Morrison, who had recently passed their driving test, were initially in the same lane.

“Jay Morrison took on McKenzie. They were tied with Jay Morrison now in another lane. He gestured toward McKenzie and his two passengers. McKenzie sped up to keep up,” he said.

The charge said McKenzie, who was also driving a Corsa, had gone above the speed limit and “in close proximity” to Morrison. He then braked to allow Morrison to return to the same lane and pass the works.

Seconds later, Morrison lost control of his car, which spun, hit the curb and crashed into a bus stop before crashing onto a grass verge and colliding with a lamp post, which fell on the roof of his car.

One of McKenzie's passengers called 999 and two police officers who arrived at the scene helped remove Morrison from his car.

They performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Morrison was taken to hospital but died the next day from head trauma. The court heard he was a “much loved son, brother and friend”.

Dewar said Morrison's father also wanted to pay tribute to the two police officers at the scene.

“This early medical assistance allowed Jay Morrison to survive long enough for his immediate family to travel and be with him when he passed away,” Dewar said.

The court heard McKenzie was a first offender. He was initially due to stand trial, accused of causing death by dangerous driving.

His lawyer, Thomas Ross, said: “Before knowing anything of the extraordinary and compassionate feelings expressed by Mr Morrison's family, he asked me to apologize to them for the suffering caused by his actions. »

Sentencing was deferred for reports.