Teen who lost both legs in crash makes plea to Christmas partygoers

A Scottish teenager who lost both his legs in a crash after getting into a car with a drunk driver has made a plea to partygoers ahead of the festive period.

Arran Paterson was driving an Audi A5 at around 90mph through thick fog when he crashed in Maduff, Aberdeenshire, in September 2024.

The collision left Adam Golebiewski, then 17, with life-changing injuries, and two other teenage passengers with serious spinal injuries.

Patterson, 19, was driving a courtesy car, which was being used by his parents, and he was not insured to drive.

Adam Golebiewski was one of four teenagers injured in a crash on Union Road, Macduff Supplied

Adam Golebiewski, who lost both of his legs in a car crash in Aberdeenshire, was invited to watch local side Cove Rangers train. Cove Rangers FC

He was over the legal alcohol limit and was detained for 32 months in September this year.

Paterson was taking the three teens home from a local social club in Banff at around 2.30am when the crash happened.

Adam, who played as a goalkeeper for a local football team, is urging partygoers to make sure they have a safe way to get home if they are out for the festivities.

Adam said: “I was leaving a local nightclub with my best mate when we saw a guy we knew a bit from school in his car with one of our other friends.

“He said jump in boys I’ll give you a lift up the road. The last thing I remember is him revving up the car and then waking up in a hospital bed.

“We didn’t even think to ask if he had been drinking, we were just keen to get home as we were physically tired after a long day playing football. The hardest thing to deal with is that I could have walked home in a few minutes, it was only a short distance away.

“The consequences of getting into that car will be with me for the rest of my life and it’s completely changed my family’s lives too.

“Make sure you have a safe way to get home if you are out this festive season and look out for your friends too.”

He was speaking as part of a new Scottish Government, Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland campaign ahead of the Christmas period.

Male drivers aged 17-25 are twice as likely to be involved in a collision and represent the highest risk group, according to the campaign.

A separate campaign is also tackling risky driving behaviours among younger drivers, including drink and drug-driving.

Between December 1, 2024 and January 19, 2025, police carried out a record 5,742 breath and roadside drug tests, recording 961 offences.

In 2024, a total of 2,971 drug-driving offences were recorded, a 60% increase on the 1,852 offences recorded in 2022.

Drivers caught with drugs or alcohol in their system will face a range of penalties including a 12-month driving ban, a fine of up to £5,000, penalty points on their licence and up to six months in prison.

Police Scotland is warning that it will be clamping down even harder this holiday season on those who risk endangering other people’s lives on the roads.

Partygoers are being urged to leave the car at home and plan a safe way home in advance by using public transport, booking a taxi, or arranging a lift with a trusted designated driver.

Cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs Angela Constance said: “Every year, too many people lose their lives or suffer horrific injuries because of a reckless decision to get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of drink or drugs.

“A split second’s mistake can have lifelong consequences, not just for you but for your passengers, other road users and the families whose lives have been affected.

“You could go to prison, lose your licence, lose your livelihood and face a substantial fine. No party or favour to a friend is ever worth it. Leave the car at home if you’re planning a night out. Don’t let this be the Christmas you never forget for all the wrong reasons.”

Chief superintendent McCarren said: “Alcohol and drugs slow your response time, impair judgement and make collisions far more likely. Our officers carry out enforcement every single day and both alcohol and drugs can impact your ability to drive the next morning.

“It’s easy to catch drink and drug drivers and we can carry out immediate roadside testing. This festive season, keep yourself and others safe by planning your journey home in advance and avoiding alcohol and drugs completely if you’re getting behind the wheel.”