Tears of teen driver as he admits killing two friends
A TEENAGE driver broke down in tears yesterday as he admitted killing two of his friends in a head-on collision just six months after passing his test.
David White, now aged 20, wept as his lawyer apologised to the two grieving families on his behalf at Inverness Sheriff Court.
White, of Croy, Inverness-shire, was only minutes from his home on the night of Sunday March 24 last year when he lost control of his black Vauxhall Corsa on a sharp left-hand bend.
He crossed the centre line and ploughed into an oncoming Mercedes Benz.
Sixteen-year-old Georgia Gilham, who was in the front seat, died instantly. Rear seat passenger John Foggo, 18, an apprentice mechanic, died later in hospital from a head injury.
Another 16-year-old female occupant of the car sustained multiple injuries and is recovering.
White, who admitted causing the two deaths by driving carelessly on the B9006 Inverness to Cantraybruich road near Croy, sustained head and pelvic injuries. Police experts could not determine the exact cause of the crash at the end of a 500-yard straight stretch of single carriageway.
But they said it could have been excessive speed, steering or braking on the dark, wet road, coupled with a lack of experience.
It was dark and the road surface was damp from earlier rain showers.
Just before the bend, Sheriff Chris Dickson was told, there was a sign warning drivers of the left-hand bend, with a sign stating ‘reduce speed now’.
Fiscal David Barclay told the court White had been with friends at a McDonald’s restaurant in Inverness and left to go home.
He added: ‘As he negotiated the left-hand bend he lost control and ended up travelling sideways, nearside first, on the opposing carriageway.
‘It collided with the front of an oncoming white Mercedes Benz. A witness described it as “the back went out and the driver tried to correct it”.
Police, ambulance and Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service attended and had to cut the four occupants free. The two men in the other car were able to walk out of their vehicle.
A surgeon who was passing by assisted paramedics at the horrific scene.
White was unable to give police a statement until four months after the crash. He confirmed that he was the driver, that he passed his test in September 2015 and that he drove that stretch of road five or six times a day.
Mr Barclay concluded: ‘He remembers being in McDonald’s with his friends and listening to music in the car as they drove towards his home. His next clear memory is waking up in hospital the following Tuesday.’
Sentence was deferred until June 14 for a background report. A restriction of liberty order was made and White was disqualified from driving in the meantime.
His lawyer, Shahid Latif, reserved his comments until then but said: ‘On behalf of this young man, he wants to say to the families that he is truly sorry.’
‘Wants to say sorry’