The devastated family of a teen killed by a speeding driver who then fled the scene say they will "never forgive him".
Steven McIlquham, who was just 15, was fatally struck by a car driven by Brian Buchanan on New Year’s Day 2020, on Alexander Street, Wishaw, Lanarkshire. He then left the scene.
Buchanan, 22, was spared a jail sentence at Hamilton Sheriff Court today for causing death by dangerous driving.
Steven's heartbroken family say they will be celebrating what would have been his 18th birthday at his grave in a couple of weeks, and they will never forgive Buchanan for driving away.
In a statement Steven's family said: "No sentence will ever be enough – I’ll never forgive that man for driving away because it’s just not human to do that.
“Steven would have been 18 a couple of weeks ago and you can’t imagine how it feels to go to a graveyard for your child’s birthday.
“I was truly touched to see his friends also there who attended off their own back as this shows the love people had for Steven and shows the kind of support they have shown our family as we have tried to come to terms with things over the last two-and-a-half years.
“Everyone around here knows that road is a risk and the Council needs to get cameras, lights or a zebra crossing installed to protect others – because Steven cannot have died in vain.”
Steven was crossing the road when he was hit by Buchanan's Volkswagen Golf, which was going around 45mph in a 30mph speed limit zone. The impact threw the 15-year-old over the top of the car, leaving him with severe brain injuries, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, despite off duty nurses desperately trying to save his life.
Steven's mum, Amanda, reported him missing when he failed to turn up at his grandparent's home. Police then realised that his description matched the victim of the fatal collision.
Buchanan, who had been on his way to a McDonalds for food, drove on with his windscreen shattered and returned to his girlfriend’s home in Wishaw. He later told officers he panicked and drove off after the crash.
He has previous convictions for speeding and careless driving.
The 22-year-old was placed on a two year supervision order with 300 hours of unpaid work. He was electronically tagged for six months and was given a three year driving ban.
The sheriff expressed condolences to Steven’s family for their “tragic loss”, saying: “This has had a devastating effect on them.”
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