Teenage driver who caused death of gran in horror crash spared jail after mercy plea

Teenage driver Bethany Fraser had passed her driving test nine months before the fatal collision which claimed the life of Agnes 'Jo' Clark.

by · Daily Record

A woman who admitted causing the death of her 71-year-old passenger in a horror car crash has been spared jail after a plea for mercy from the pensioner's family.

Bethany Fraser, 19, was driving Agnes 'Jo' Clark and three friends home from a hen party when she failed to stop at a junction and smashed into a Land Rover.

Mrs Clark, from Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, sustained fatal injuries and died at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee five days later on August 25, 2023.

Fraser, of Ellon, failed to give way near Tannadice, Forfar, at around 40mph and collided with the oncoming car.

She admitted causing death by driving without due care or attention and appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court today where she was ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 16 months.

She was also placed under supervision for three months.

Fraser had passed her driving test nine months before the collision and had no endorsements on her licence.

Sheriff Garry Sutherland told Fraser nothing 'could bring Mrs Clark back' and said he accepted a police assessment the collision had been the result of 'momentary inattention'.

The court had previously heard that the smash happened as Fraser, Mrs Clark and three others were travelling back to Aberdeenshire from a hen party in Kirriemuir.

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She said she had not realised there was a junction and had been following directions on her sat nav.

Fraser's solicitor said her client had been 'incredibly fond' of Mrs Clark and felt 'very much like a granddaughter'.

A Clark family statement issued earlier through lawyers Digby Brown asked for Fraser to be shown mercy.

They said: "Jo was a loving mum, partner and grandma, she was the heart of our family and her laugh was infectious.

"She had an incredible sense of humour and often took the mick out of herself and everyone but in an endearing way that helped everyone look at the fun side of life.

"Wanting justice is not the same as demanding punishment, the latter helps no one.

"Bethany is not a bad person. We know she did not set out to cause a tragedy that day.

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"It is important that any outcome reflects the seriousness of what happened but we don't want to see another life ruined by a jail term.

"If there is a chance that Bethany, and others, have the chance to learn and live better lives then we would be open to that.

"We'd finally just like to thank our wider friends, family and the community for their support but request that our privacy is respected as we move forward."

Mrs Clark, a former receptionist at an oil and gas company, is survived by her partner, George McBain, two daughters and four grandchildren.

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