Learner driver whose three friends died in crash jailed

A learner driver who killed three of his friends when he crashed into another vehicle has been jailed for over four years.

- HOLLY EVANS

Jake Loy, who was 17 at the time, was driving at such excessive speeds that his Honda Civic split in two upon impact. Three other people were also left injured.

Finlay Johns, Tyler Johnston and Ian Cannon, all aged 16, died at the scene while Loy was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The court heard that Mr Cannon had sent a Snapchat message prior to the crash, saying he was “scared” because Loy was a “terrible driver and flooring it”.

Appearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, he was jailed for four years and eight months. Loy, who only had a provisional licence, had taken his friends out for a drive on 15 March 2022, and had crashed into another vehicle on the A711 at Cargenbridge, Dumfries and Galloway, shortly after midnight.