Police ScotlandA drunk driver who killed a grandad in a 91-mile-an-hour smash has been jailed for more than six years.
Callum Fox, 29, struck pedestrian Jim Paterson, 63, in Paisley, in the early hours of November 27, 2022.
Fox – who was described as “really drunk” – had earlier been at a cocktail bar with friends and ignored a plea for him not to drive.
However, Fox got behind the wheel of his Mercedes AMG A45 to go to a house party while two-and-a-half times over the limit.
Mr Paterson was heading home after a “curry night” with his friend and cousin when he encountered speeding Fox as he crossed the road.
The dad-of-three – who was married for 46 years – died at the scene.
First offender Fox pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
Lord Cubie jailed Fox for six years and four months. The term was cut from eight years due to the guilty plea.
The judge said he had shown a “selfish disregard” for the laws of the road.
Lord Cubie stated: “I have read the victim impact statements – Mr Paterson was a much-loved partner, father, grandfather, brother and cousin.
“The consequences of his loss will hang over them indefinitely.
“The speed was a material factor – grossly excessive, 90mph in a 30mph zone, while accelerating, giving Mr Paterson no chance.
“The harm caused could not be higher.”
Fox, also of Paisley, was further banned from the road for 11 years and two months after he his release.
The court heard that Mr Paterson was a plater and shipyard worker who was in good health and a keen golfer.
He was married and had three adult children and grandchildren.
Mr Paterson had been with his cousin, eating, drinking and watching football in the home of a friend in Paisley.
He left to go home at 12.15am.
Meanwhile, Fox had been with two friends drinking six or seven drinks at Lumins Cocktail and Sports Bar in Paisley.
Fox – described by a friend as “really drunk” – got behind the wheel of his car to drive them to a house party in the Foxbar area.
A friend recalled saying to Fox that he should not drive, but could not remember the reply.
Witnesses reported Fox as “overtaking at speed” and “driving really fast” as well as “swerving all over the road.”
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said: “Just after 12.26am, Mr Paterson started to cross the road and was struck by Fox’s car.”
Airbag analysis found that Fox had driven from 66 miles per hour five seconds before the crash up to 91 miles per hour at the time of the collision.
The speed limit for the road was 30mph.
Fox and his friends remained at the scene after the crash while medics arrived.
Mr Paterson was pronounced dead at 12.33am, having suffered “significant external and internal” injuries.
This included fractures of the skull, spine, sternum and collarbone.
When quizzed, Fox told officers: “It was me, I was driving when I hit the guy.”
A breath test found that he had 113 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 50 milligrams.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
