Driver jailed after 90mph crash in tunnel
0 Comments | Herald, The; Glasgow (UK), Sep 3, 2010
A DISQUALIFIED driver who left four people injured after crashing as he drove at 90mph through Glasgow’s Clyde Tunnel has been jailed for 16 months.
William Gallagher had a 14-year-old girl in the car with him as he raced along the 30mph road and crashed into another car in May this year.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that the tunnel was closed for two hours as emergency services dealt with the crash, which saw his victim’s car smashed in to the side of the tunnel.
Gallagher and his teenage passenger, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were taken to hospital along with three other victims but all escaped without serious injuries.
Sentencing Gallagher yesterday, Sheriff Bill Totten told him: “You’re fortunate not to have caused fatal injuries.”
At an earlier hearing, Gallagher, 32, who is on remand in HMP Barlinnie, admitted driving dangerously and injuring Joseph Lynn, Steven McVey, Claire Lafferty and a 14-year-old girl on May 23.
He also pled guilty to driving while disqualified after being banned a month earlier, driving with no insurance and failing to give police a blood sample to test for alcohol.
Prosecutor Harry Findlay told the court that Gallagher was giving friend Joseph Lynn and the young girl a lift as he drove through the tunnel just after midnight.
Mr Findlay said: “The vehicle was being driven at high speeds and overtaking other vehicles.
“Mr Lynn clocked the speedometer reaching something like 90mph.”
The court heard that, at the same time, Steven McVey, 22, and Claire Lafferty, 20, were also in the tunnel on their way to Prestwick Airport.
They saw the accused approaching quickly behind them in the outside lane and moved to the left-hand lane to let him pass. But as they did so, Gallagher raced to undertake them and hit them as they moved in.
Mr Findlay added: “The crash caused serious damage to both vehicles.”
Police and an ambulance arrived at the scene and the injured were taken to the Southern General Hospital.
Mr Lynn, 19, hurt his elbow and the 14-year-old suffered whiplash and neck strain. Ms Lafferty had stitches for a cut to her face and now has a permanent scar. Mr McVey suffered back and leg pain.
Gallagher refused to give police a blood sample.