The granddad of a toddler killed by a texting driver has paid tribute to his "little angel" on the 10th anniversary of her death. Harlow Edwards was two years old when she was hit by Luke Pirie's car near the A94 Perth to Forfar road on October 13, 2016. She died at the scene after Pirie's car mounted the pavement.
A six-year-old boy and Harlow's sister Dionne, who was 17 at the time, were also seriously hurt in the collision. Minutes earlier, all three children had just got off the bus from Dundee.
'The darkest day of my life'
Harlow's grandfather has recounted the "darkest day" of his life 10 years on from the tragedy. Writing online, he said: "Ten years ago today, the darkest day of my life. The day that Harlow left us. My thoughts on our wonderful granddaughter who will always be with us."
He continued: "I remember the times when Harlow was here, how we took it for granted that she'd always be near. Her wee smiling face lit up the darkest of days, she cheered us so much with her wonderful ways."
"Mummy's little angel and daddy's wee girl, skipping and dancing and giving a whirl. Smiling and laughing and so full of fun, the twinkle in her eyes as bright as the sun. All of these memories and many, many more, safe in our hearts we treasure and store. Harlow, our baby, our forever angel too, oh, how we miss you, we'll always love you."
Driver jailed for six years
Pirie was jailed for six years at the High Court in Glasgow in October 2017. The court heard that he had been driving at 50mph while texting on his phone. He had been seen speeding through Coupar Angus while using his mobile phone. Texts, calls, and a FaceTime were all made from his device before the fatal collision took place.
Speaking after sentencing in 2017, Harlow's mother Sara urged motorists not to text and drive. She said: "We lost our little girl. It was extremely avoidable." She added that the tragedy would "serve as a reminder of the responsibility that comes when you get behind the wheel of a car." She also urged people not to text friends or relatives if they know they are driving.
Mrs Edwards said: "As a family going forward we would like to honour the absolute love and never-ending joy that our darling baby girl brought to the family."
Prison attack and legal action
Two years into his jail term in 2019, it was revealed that Pirie had been the subject of a slashing behind bars. Mosque bomber Thomas Conington used a homemade weapon to slash Pirie in the face at Edinburgh's Saughton Prison. Conington, then 31, carried out the attack while serving an Order for Lifelong Restriction imposed on him in 2017 after he firebombed Edinburgh's Central Mosque. Pirie was left with a seven-inch scar across his face.
Harlow's sister Dionne has since launched legal action against Pirie for damages. She was claiming a six-figure sum after suffering severe brain and spinal injuries in the incident.
