A speeding driver who knocked down and killed a 15-year-old boy then fled the scene has walked free from court.
A sheriff told 22–year-old Brian Buchanan his age had saved him from a jail sentence after the crash that "devastated" Steven Mcilquham’s family. Passing off-duty nurses tried desperately to revive schoolboy Steven, but he couldn’t be saved.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that Steven’s frantic mum, Amanda, reported him missing when he failed to turn up as planned at his grandparents’ home. Police officers then realised that his description matched that of the collision victim.
Buchanan admitted causing Steven’s death by careless driving on Alexander Street, Wishaw, Lanarkshire, on New Year’s Day 2020. He also admitted failing to stop after the fatal crash.
Steven was hit by Buchanan’s Volkswagen Golf as he crossed the road, where the speed limit is 30, around 9.30pm. Police investigators estimated Buchanan’s speed at around 45 miles an hour at the point of impact.
Steven was thrown on to the windscreen and over the top of the car. He suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Buchanan, who had been on his way to a McDonalds for food, drove on with his windscreen shattered and returned to his girlfriend’s home in Wishaw.
Harry Findlay, prosecuting, told the court: “He looked shocked and upset. She questioned him and he said ‘I think someone ran out in front of me. What do I do now?’
“He was advised to attend the police station but before doing so he phoned his father in a hysterical state.”
Buchanan, of Shotts, told officers he panicked and drove on after the collision. Mr Findlay said Steven might not have heard the approaching car because he was wearing a hat and ear buds, and might have been using his mobile phone. He might not have realised how fast the Golf was travelling.
But the prosecutor added: “The accused failed to react in the appropriate way to the presence of Steven on the carriageway. He failed to observe him despite having a maximum view of approximately 350 metres.”
Defence advocate David Cobb said Buchanan had shown “considerable remorse”, adding: “He thinks about it every day, that someone has died as a result of his driving.”
Buchanan has previous convictions for speeding and careless driving and Sheriff Martin Jones QC said his record was “very concerning" for someone so young. The sheriff said it was “reprehensible” that he’d fled the scene after hitting Steven.
He told Buchanan that if he had been driving within the speed limit he would have been able to “react appropriately“ and take steps to avoid the collision.
Sheriff Jones added: “Had I been dealing with you as an adult offender with your record you might well be facing a custodial sentence. But I am bound by recent guidelines that say when dealing with people under 25 the emphasis is on rehabilitation.”
Buchanan was placed under supervision for two years and must do 300 hours of unpaid work. He will be confined to his home between 7pm and 7am each day under a six-month electronic tagging order.
Buchanan was banned from driving for three years and must resit his test. The sheriff expressed condolences to Steven’s family for their “tragic loss”, saying: “This has had a devastating effect on them.”
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