A learner driver who killed three 16-year-old friends in a crash when he drove his car for the first time at excessive speed in Dumfries and Galloway has been jailed for nearly five years. Jake Loy, 19, lost control of his Honda Civic just after midnight on the A711 in Cargenbridge on March 16, 2022, after taking it out on a public road for the first time, without the supervision required by a provisional driving licence.
Loy, then 17, had collected three friends prior to the crash and was estimated to be driving at more than 60mph on the country road when he lost control and ploughed into the path of a Honda CR-V travelling northbound. Passengers Tyler Johnston, Ian Cannon, and Finlay Johns, all 16, died at the scene, and three men in the Honda CR-V suffered serious injuries.
Loy pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at a previous hearing at the High Court in Glasgow. Defending, Donald Findlay KC said Loy had no memory of the crash due to a head injury. Mr Findlay said Loy expressed that he would rather take the place of his friends if possible. Psychologist Professor Gary MacPherson assessed Loy and found he was immature, suggesting he may have wanted to impress his peer group.
The court heard that Mr Cannon had sent a Snapchat message prior to the crash, expressing fear because Loy was a terrible driver and flooring it. Loy was sentenced to four years and eight months, and banned from driving for eight years. The judge noted the loss of young lives and serious injuries caused by the crash. Despite calls for a non-custodial sentence, the judge emphasized the gravity of the situation and the need for a substantial custodial sentence.
Due to Scottish sentencing guidelines for under-25s, Loy’s sentence was reduced. The judge acknowledged Loy’s early guilty plea and indicated that a more severe sentence would have been handed down if not for this plea. The court recognised Loy’s remorse and highlighted concerns raised in psychological assessments, concluding that Loy was at low risk of reoffending. Lord Harrower said there was no alternative to a substantial custodial sentence, given the tragic consequences of Loy’s actions.