Driver took drink and drugs before killing boy in crash

A drink driver who had also taken a cocktail of Class A drugs has admitted killing a 16-year-old schoolboy in a car crash.

Kanad Basi, who was almost twice the drink-drive limit and who had taken cocaine and ecstasy, drove into a bend at speed, lost control and crashed into a tree.

His front seat passenger Jack Frame suffered catastrophic head injuries and died at the scene.

Basi, from Pollokshields, Glasgow, was told by judge Lord Mulholland: “This is an utter tragedy for the family of the deceased who lost his life with catastrophic injuries which you were responsible for with your driving.

“If ever there was a case that showed the folly of the combination of drugs, alcohol and speed, it is this case.”

Basi, 22, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to causing the death of Jack by driving dangerously on New Trows Road, Lesmahagow, on February 10, 2019.

Rear passengers Aiden O’Donnell and Eleanor Plenderleith suffered horrific injuries in the crash.

At the High Court in Glasgow, prosecutor Jane Farquharson said Basi had driven to a party in Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, in his BMW 1 series two-door coupe around 1am.

A number of the partygoers were impressed by the car and three of them drove off with him at 2am.

Ms Farquharson said: “As the accused approached a right-hand bend, he lost control of the car.

“His vehicle left the carriageway, mounted the grass verge, collided with a wire fence and struck a tree in the grounds of Hallandbush Golf Club.

“Due to this impact Jack Frame was thrown forward and trapped within the front passenger side of the vehicle. His head was wedged underneath the glove box area.”

Apprentice joiner Mr O’Donnell, who was 18 at the time was sitting behind Basi. He suffered a fractured skull, four facial fractures, two broken legs and a number of fractures to his left arm. He had to undergo surgery and learn to walk again. He has been unable to work since the accident.

Ms Plenderleith, who was 19 at the time of the crash, was knocked unconscious. She had a punctured lung, lacerated liver, broken ribs and a fractured chest bone. A metal plate had to be inserted into her left upper arm.

None of the passengers were wearing a seat belt. Basi, who was wearing one, suffered a broken wrist. His DNA and blood were found on the driver’s airbag.

The prosecutor added: “Neither passenger has any recollection about the incident itself, or what happened thereafter.

“In the immediate aftermath the accused removed his seat belt and climbed into the rear of the vehicle pushing passenger Eleanor Plenderleith into the front.

“She was found unconscious with her legs in the rear seating area and her head facing down into the driver’s footwell.”

The court heard that Basi used Aiden’s phone to call 999 and during that conversation claimed he (Basi) was the driver.

However, later sitting in the back of an ambulance he was asked by police if he was the driver and replied: “I can’t remember now, but give me half an hour or so and I might remember. I woke up in the back with my friend Aiden and pulled the girl over the front. There were only four in the car.”

A breath test showed Basi had an alcohol count of 37. The legal limit is 22. A blood sample taken from him showed the presence of cocaine and ecstasy.

The family of Jack Frame said in a statement released through Digby Brown Solicitors: “Losing Jack was the worst pain our family has endured but the torment comes from not knowing what happened that night.

“We mourned after what we thought was a tragic accident but to find out nearly a year later that the driver acted illegally just turned everything upside down.

“Dealing with a sudden death is hard enough but to try and deal with a death along with confusion, anger and not knowing any of the facts just makes everything 100 times worse because it’s like losing someone twice as it created a whole other reason to grieve.

“We know nothing can return Jack to us just as we know there is nothing, and no one, that can replace him.

“But other parents who have been in our position will understand – we don’t care how much the truth hurts, we just need the police, the legal system, the courts, whoever, to help us understand what happened.

“We need the truth. We need closure. We need some kind of peace.”

Lord Mulholland remanded first offender Basi in custody and deferred sentence on him until next month for background reports.