drink drive footballer killed dad in smash
Reckless overtake led to death of popular Rangers fan David, 59
A drunk junior footballer killed a rangers-supporting dad in a head-on horror crash.
Largs Thistle player Craig Forbes, 23, struck David Horn’s vehicle on the A78 in Greenock on October 15, 2022.
David, 59, died from his injuries in hospital. Tributes were paid to him at his beloved Ibrox Stadium as fans applauded on the 59th minute at a match against Livingston.
The Gers season ticket holder, from Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde, was described as a “loving, caring and compassionate husband and father, and a ready, willing and true friend to many”.
The retired procurement manager is survived by his wife and two children.
First offender Forbes pled guilty yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow to causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard David was driving home after dropping off his daughter in Greenock in his Toyota Yaris at 11.20pm.
Forbes had attended a wedding and was returning to the town in his Volkswagen Golf. Just before the crash, he overtook a car when it was unsafe to do so.
Prosecutor Alex Sutherland said: “Subsequently, Forbes lost directional control of the car and entered the southbound lane, colliding head-on with Mr Horn’s car.”
He said Forbes’ car then struck a verge. “Its final position was resting on its nearside and it was subsequently rolled on to its soRRow Largs Thistle player Forbes wheels for Forbes to be freed.” David was found trapped in his car by medics before he was taken to hospital in Glasgow. He went into cardiac arrest on the journey and CPR was carried out. His condition did not improve at hospital and he was pronounced dead at 1.26am. A post-mortem recorded the cause of death as “chest injuries due to road traffic collision”. Mr Sutherland said David sustained fractures to his forearm and thigh bones, as well as internal injuries. Forbes was treated for injuries to his leg, pelvis and lungs. He could not give a blood sample until three hours after the crash, which gave a blood alcohol level of 78 milligrams in 100 millilitres. The legal limit is 50 milligrams. It was stated that his levels would have been higher than 78 milligrams. A collision investigation determined “it occurred as a result of Forbes, while impaired by alcohol, losing directional control of his car. Forbes was solely to blame for the collision which caused Mr Horn’s death.” Simon Gilbride, defending, told the court: “Mr Forbes wishes to convey his sorrow for his actions that night.” Sentence was deferred for reports by judge Douglas Brown, who disqualified Forbes from driving meantime. The judge told him: “Although bail is continued, you should expect a substantial prison sentence when you return.”