Teenage learner driver jailed for killing three friends in car crash

A learner driver who killed three of his friends in a horror crash has been jailed for four years and eight months.

Jake Loy, 19, was speeding in his Honda Civic when he lost control and smashed into another car.

Tyler Johnston, Ian Cannon, Finlay Johns – all aged 16 and passengers in the vehicle – did not survive the crash on the A711 in Cargenbridge, Dumfries on March 16, 2022.

A judge heard how Ian had posted a message in a group chat before the crash that he was “scared” in the vehicle and that Loy was a “terrible driver”.

First-time offender Loy pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to a charge of causing the death of the three boys by dangerous driving.

Judge Lord Drummond told Loy: “Not only were you unqualified, you had no real familiarity with this car or its characteristics at speed or under adverse conditions.

“Your driving at the time of the collision formed part of a more prolonged and deliberate course of bad or aggressive driving with a disregard for the danger being caused to others.

“The victim impact statements all bear witness to the terrible devastation you caused to the lives of their family members of those you injured.

“This sentence cannot alleviate their anguish. Driving while unsupervised is a serious factor to take into account.

“There is no appropriate alternative to a substantial custodial sentence.

“It will be substantially less than what would have been imposed on an older person for a similar case.”

Loy, of Moffat, Dumfriesshire, showed no emotion as he was led into the cells.

Family members in the public gallery were seen to cry after the judge had given his statement.

Loy was also disqualified from driving for eight years and must sit the extended test before he is able to drive again.

The teenager – who only held a provisional licence – had initially been in his car with Ian and Finlay before travelling to Dumfries to pick-up Tyler.

A man driving a Honda CR-V was heading back from a poker night with friends at around midnight.

He was on the A711 at a slight bend when he recalled a black car suddenly “coming towards him side on”.

The man desperately tried to avoid being hit, but Loy’s Honda went “straight into the front”.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC told how it was described as an “almighty impact”.

He added: “The Crown position is that the driver’s inexperience and excessive speed were significant factors in the loss of control of the vehicle.”

Loy’s Honda split in two such was the force of the collision.

One experienced crash investigator said he had “never seen damage like that to car”. The actual speed Loy was driving at is not known.

An off-duty police officer initially stopped at the scene to help before emergency crews arrived.

The three boys had already died as a result of their injuries.

Mr Prentice told how, hours after the crash, a boy in the same Snapchat group as the teenagers saw a message Ian Cannon had written before the tragedy.

The advocate depute said: “He was saying that he was scared because Jake Loy was swerving all over the place, that he was a terrible driver and he was flooring it.

“It is not possible to pinpoint the precise point in the journey the message was sent.”

The court heard the driver of the Honda was also badly hurt. He suffered a fractured kneecap and hand as well as bruising.

He is scarred for life and remains affected by what happened including struggling to play with his child and sports he took part in.

He may end up getting arthritis in his knee. He has also received psychological treatment.

The charge Loy pleaded guilty to also stated he seriously injured the man and two of his passengers.

The teenager also need hospital treatment after the crash.

In June 2022, he went on to attend with his lawyer at a local police station and claimed he “did not know” the driver at the time of the crash.

Mr Prentice told how all three had attended Moffat Academy.

Finlay was studying for his highers, Tyler had gone on to college in Dumfries while Ian had stayed in Glasgow after leaving school, but had returned to live with his mum and sister.

Finlay and Ian were both keen footballers having both played for local team Moffat Uppers.

Donald Findlay KC, defending, told the sentencing that his client has “simply no memory” of the incident.

Mr Findlay added: “Mr Loy is distressed by what happened and the consequences to his friends.

“It is telling and quite moving to me when he said that if he could take their place he would. He would rather it be him.

“There is very clear and strong evidence of what is known as survivor’s guilt.

“There was no badness nor malice or intent of any kind.”