Newborn victim of killer driver, dead at just 32 minutes old
A DRIVER has admitted killing a premature baby who was only 32 minutes old when he died.
Stephen Stennett, 23, had a head-on collision with a van on the B9157 near Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Heavily pregnant Shannon Myers was a passenger in Stennett’s Seat Leon car when the accident happened on October 3, 2018.
The 18-year- old, who was 30 weeks pregnant, had to have an emergency Caesarean section during which son Luke Myers was born. But the baby died despite efforts to save him.
Stennett, a first offender from Cowdenbeath, Fife, pleaded guilty yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow to causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard he attempted a‘ dangerous’ overtaking manoeuvre.
Prosecutor Murdoch McTaggart said: ‘The accused pulled out and drove into the path of an oncoming van.
‘The accused’s vehicle ended up in a ditch on the side of the road.’
Miss Myers, who was in the front passenger seat of the car, complained about pain in her abdomen and was taken to hospital by a concerned witness.
A scan showed the baby had a heartbeat of 60 beats per minute.
Mr McTaggart said: ‘This was regarded as low and gave cause for concern.’
An emergency C- section was performed and baby Luke was born ‘floppy and unresponsive with no signs of life’.
Medics fought to save Luke’s life and CPR was attempted to restart his heartbeat.
Mr McTaggart said: ‘At 12 minutes after birth no heartbeat could be detected.
‘He was given oxygen and adrenaline and the resuscitation team continued to treat him, however, his heartbeat did not return. At 32 minutes of full resuscitation all team members agreed to withdraw life support and life was pronounced extinct.’
Luke’s cause of death was stated as ‘complications of traumatic abruption due to road traffic collision’. Pathologists found Luke had red marks on his face as well as fractures to his collarbone and four ribs.
Miss Myers suffered broken toes and a fractured arm, which was put into a cast.
A 15-year- old girl, who was a passenger in the vehicle, sustained a fractured spine, collarbone and sternum.
A 15-year- old male passenger suffered a fractured spine and eye socket as well as a minor head injury.
Van driver Ian Baker, his wife Clara and their ten- year- old daughter, who was in the passenger seat, escaped with minor injuries.
Stennett, who worked for Virgin Media, was l ater traced and arrested, when he admitted being the driver of the car. Mr McTaggart added: ‘He earlier told a witness that the collision was his fault and that when he saw the van he tried to get in the ditch but that he still hit it.’
Miss Myers paid tribute to Luke on Facebook shortly after his death.
She said: ‘ You will get your justice and the best send- off, I love you so much my handsome little boy.’
Judge Lady Stacey deferred sentence until next month for background reports.
The judge told Stennett: ‘You will understand you pleaded guilty to a serious crime which had tragic results.
‘When a life is lost, the court will almost always impose a period of imprisonment.’
Stennett said: ‘I’m sorry.’
‘No heartbeat detected’