Killer driver dragged his passenger into front seat to frame her for crash
A DrIvEr high on drugs and alcohol killed a 16-year-old schoolboy in a crash – then moved an unconscious friend to behind the wheel in an attempt to frame her for the death.
Kanad Basi, who had taken cocaine and ecstasy and was almost twice the drink drive limit, drove his BMW into a bend at speed, lost control and crashed into a tree.
His front seat passenger Jack frame, 16, suffered catastrophic head injuries and died at the scene.
Moments after the car hit the tree, Basi went into the back and dragged unconscious passenger Ellie Plenderleith, 20, into the front to make it appear she was at the wheel.
on Tuesday at Glasgow High Court, Basi admitted causing Jack’s death by dangerous driving on february 10, 2019.
The court heard that Basi, 22, had driven to a party on the night of the crash in his BMW 1 series two-door coupe at around 1am. A number of the partygoers were impressed by the car and clamoured to go for a spin. Three drove off with him at 2am.
Another back seat passenger, Aiden o’Donnell, was also badly hurt in the crash in lesmahagow, near lanark. Earlier this week, Miss Plenderleith said: ‘Kanad moving me from the back seat to the driver seat while I was unconscious shows you what kind of person he is.
‘What made things worse was that because he wasn’t charged for a long time, he spread his false version of events round our community to further the notion he was a victim. People believed him and they blamed me.
‘I received loads of abuse and it made it difficult for me to attend Jack’s funeral with other young people believing Kanad.
‘However, Jack and Aiden’s family I think always suspected there was something wrong with Kanad’s version of events and thankfully have been very supportive. The whole thing took a massive toll. I lived in constant anxiety and have physical injuries that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
‘It makes me sick to think Kanad was my friend. I trusted him – I don’t know how he could do something so horrendous, to plan things and spread lies. I am glad people know the truth and that twisted toxic monster will hopefully be locked up where he
Injured: Ellie Plenderleith had been in the back seat belongs.’ Miss Plenderleith suffered a broken arm and ribs, fractured chest bone, lacerated liver and punctured lung. one of her fingers was amputated.
Mr o’Donnell, then 18 and an apprentice joiner, suffered a fractured skull, four facial fractures, two broken legs and a number of fractures to his left arm. He had to learn to walk again and has been unable to work since the accident.
Basi was the only person in the car wearing a seatbelt and suffered a broken wrist.
The court heard that Basi used Mr o’Donnell’s phone to call 999 and described himself as the driver. However, sitting in the back of an ambulance later he was asked by police if he was the driver and replied: ‘I can’t remember now, but give me half an hour or so.’
Basi had an alcohol breath count of 37mg. The legal limit in Scotland is 22. A blood sample showed the presence of cocaine and ecstasy.
Basi was remanded in custody and sentencing was deferred.