Driver walks free in horror smash case

Apr 10 2009

A TEENAGER who was thrown from a car in a horror crash begged paramedics not to let her die.

As she was treated at the roadside, Casandra Clark was convinced her injuries would kill her.

This week, a sheriff said it was “nothing short of a miracle” that the 17-year-old survived.

Although she has now made a full physical recovery, Casandra is still terrified of being a passenger in a car.

Graeme Hudson, 22, admitted dangerous driving when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court this week.

The court heard that Hudson’s driving was so idiotic on the afternoon of January 3 last year, that the driver of a car he passed felt compelled to pull over and phone the police to warn them about Hudson.

But moments later, Hudson lost control of his Ford Focus on the rural road between Maybole and Alloway and ploughed into a tree.

Remarkably, the rear seat passenger, Ben Fyfe, walked away with cuts and bruises.

Hudson, from Drumdow Road, Turnberry, had to be cut free from the car by fire fighters.

Depute fiscal Jo Cunningham explained: “As he drove over a hill crest, he lost control. The front of the car struck the soft grass verge and the rear of the car slid along the central line of the road.

“The car continued at this angle until it struck a tree. The impact was such that the front end of the car – including the engine – was torn from the vehicle.

“Casandra Clark was thrown from the vehicle and landed on the grass verge.

“The remainder of the car went across the carriageway and hit a fence.”

Mrs Cunningham continued: “Casandra Clark was very distressed and this caused some concern to the paramedics.

“She was under the impression she was going to die and kept asking the paramedics not to let her die.”

Casandra was taken to the Southern General hospital in Glasgow. She suffered a nasty cut on her neck which was badly contaminated with dirt and twigs. The wound has left her permanently scarred.

She also suffered a fractured femur and pelvis.

Mrs Cunningham went on to tell Sheriff Carole Cunninghame that Hudson was interviewed in hospital and admitted that he was driving too fast.

His defence lawyer, Tony Currie, said: “He very, very much regrets that he was responsible for this incident. Your ladyship could take the view that there is never likely to be any repeat of this.”

Sentencing Hudson, Sheriff Cunninghame said: “There is no mystery about what happened, you were driving dangerously.

“This was noted by another road user who felt compelled to contact the authorities.

“Miraculously, there were no fatalities.

“The court has a duty to protect the public, in particular road users.

“By the narrowest of margins you are not going into custody today, I hope you understand that.”

Hudson was ordered to carry out 230 hours of community service and banned from driving for two-and-a-half years.