An intoxicated motorist who drove at extreme speeds and caused a fatal crash in Perthshire has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The victim, 19-year-old Erin Slane, had sent a tragic text to friends saying, 'I may not survive tonight. I’m scared. Kyle is steaming.'
Crash Details
On 1 September 2024, Kyle Patrick, 23, was driving at 'grossly excessive speeds' when his car careered into a field near Gowrie Farm in Perthshire. The vehicle crossed into the opposing lane, went over an embankment, smashed through a fence, and overturned repeatedly. Ms Slane sustained catastrophic injuries and died at the scene. Another passenger, Keira Jones, suffered severe injuries.
Court Proceedings
Patrick had previously admitted guilt to causing death by dangerous driving and causing severe harm to a second passenger. He also confessed to driving while impaired by alcohol. At the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, Lord Harrower sentenced him to eight years. The judge stated that the incident was 'no mere lapse of judgment' but a 'prolonged and deliberate course of driving at grossly excessive speeds while impaired through alcohol.'
Impact on Families
Lord Harrower said, 'Erin was 19, about to start university and had her whole life ahead of her.' He noted that Patrick's actions brought 'terrible devastation' to the family, adding, 'No sentence of this court can alleviate their anguish.' The court also heard that Patrick had offered to drive people from a taxi rank in Perth earlier that day.
