Police have said the death of a north-east teenager should be a reminder to all motorists to drive responsibly after his friend was handed a two-year period of detention.
Adam Youngson, 18, was convicted to causing the death of William Sangster, 19, when his vehicle struck a tree in Mintlaw in 2014.
Following today’s sentencing, road policing inspector Jon Barron issued a warning to other motorists.
Insp Barron said: “Our thoughts today are very much with William’s family and all those affected by the devastating and tragic events of that evening.”
The roads policing officer made “no comment” on the sentence handed to Youngson, but said Mr Sangster’s family “have been forced to come to terms with their own life sentence because of someone else’s actions”.
“Sadly the unthinkable can happen, particularly if you are of a mind to put anyone at risk by your actions on the road. Please let this be a reminder to all to use our roads responsibly and respect the safety of others.
“I fear that more families will be left to cope with the sudden and tragic loss of loved ones if this warning is not heeded.”
Insp Barron added that all drivers have a part to play in ensuring “we can all stay safe on our roads”.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how moments before the incident, another car being driven by Scott Neil, 19, came close to the back of Youngson’s red Ford Fiesta. Youngson reacted by accelerating away from Neil’s car.
However, Neil then broke the speed limit to keep up with Youngson, who had passed his driving test four months earlier. But Youngson – who ignored his passengers requests for him to drive carefully – lost control of his vehicle, causing it to leave the road.
Mr Sangster, of Auchnagatt, Aberdeenshire, was a back seat passenger in Mr Youngson’s car. Fire and Rescue staff had to cut him free – but doctors pronounced him dead at the scene.
