A drink driver who caused the death of a young woman and seriously injured another passenger after speeding at 119mph has been jailed for eight years. Kyle Patrick, 23, admitted to charges of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving following a night of heavy alcohol consumption in Perth city centre in September 2024.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Patrick had spent hours drinking pints of beer and shots across several pubs before driving to a taxi rank and offering lifts to members of the public. He later picked up 19-year-old Erin Slane and her friend, referred to as Jane, from outside a pub. Minutes before the fatal collision, a 'scared' Erin messaged friends, stating she 'may not survive tonight' and that 'Kyle is steaming'.
Patrick, from Scone in Perthshire, was driving a Ford Fiesta ST-3 turbo when he lost control on the B9099 Luncarty to Stanley road. The vehicle crossed the opposing carriageway, left the road, went through fencing, down an embankment, and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its roof. Erin Slane, who was just two days shy of her 20th birthday and due to start Edinburgh Napier University, died at the scene from blunt-force head injuries. Jane required a 10-day hospital stay and months of recovery, suffering ongoing psychological trauma.
During sentencing, Lord Harrower stated that Patrick had shown 'complete disregard over a sustained period of time' through 'prolonged and deliberate driving at excessive speed' and 'excessive consumption of alcohol'. The judge acknowledged Patrick's genuine remorse but stressed that 'no appropriate alternative to a significant custodial sentence' existed for the 'terrible devastation' he inflicted. Patrick was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.
The court heard moving victim impact statements from Erin's family, highlighting her potential and the profound loss they had suffered. Jane's statement detailed her physical injuries and the psychological impact of losing her close friend. Patrick's defence advocate noted his client's immediate admission of guilt and lack of previous convictions, acknowledging that nothing could undo the harm caused.
Source: High Court in Glasgow