Mum who lost baby in horror crash tells of devastation as driver is jailed

A young woman who lost her baby after a horrific car crash has spoken of her devastation after the driver was jailed for three years.

Shannon Myers was a frontseat passenger in the vehicle which was involved in a headon collision on the B9157 near Kirkcaldy in October 2018.

She was 30 weeks pregnant at the time, and had to undergo an emergency C-section to give birth to her son, Luke.

But, despite all efforts, the baby died.

Shannon said losing her child was “the worst pain I have ever experienced” as driver Stephen Stennett was jailed for three years at the High Court in Glasgow.

The 23-year-old first offender from Cowdenbeath was also banned from driving for five years and three months.

He had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The court was told he had attempted a "dangerous" overtaking manoeuvre, resulting in the head-on collision. Two other passengers were also injured, while the other driver, his wife and child sustained minor injuries. 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.”

Shannon was taken to hospital by a witness after she complained about pain in her abdomen.

A scan showed the baby had a heart rate 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”.

In a statement after sentencing, Shannon said: “Losing my baby was the worst pain I have ever experienced. No sentence will ever reflect this pain which will stay with me forever.

“When you are pregnant, people warn you of all the things to expect or be aware of, but you never think something like this will happen.”

She also thanked her family and friends for their support. Shannon added: “Now I just want some peace.”

Sentencing Stennett, Judge Lady Stacey said: "As a result of your driving a young woman had to have her baby delivered and he died shortly afterwards. You, your family and friends know you have to live with that for the rest of your life.

“Nothing can reconcile Miss Myers to the loss of her baby nor will the passing of a sentence cure her anguish.

"You are a young man interested in cars and driving. You should be someone who knows to take care at all times while driving."