Drunk driver who killed two OAPs in Glasgow was 'in disbelief'

Darren Sturgeon, 35, struck John Laird's vehicle in Glasgow's Kings Park on November 18, 2022.

Sturgeon's speeding Ford Mondeo hit the passenger side of Mr Laird's Mercedes as he turned right at a junction.

The horror collision caused both cars to smash into metal railings.

Mr Laird's passenger Michael McManamon, 73, died at the scene while the 80-year-old driver passed away in hospital.

Sturgeon had earlier got behind the wheel while drunk,  missing one shoe and wearing a bandage on his foot.

He had surgery to amputate one of his toes and remove a toenail a week before the collision.

Sturgeon was hauled into the dock in April 2023 for a further drink driving offence and was fined £1,000 and disqualified for 12 months.

Sturgeon pleaded guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow to causing the deaths of Mr Laird and Mr McManamon by dangerous driving.

He also admitted driving without insurance at the time of the collision.

The court heard that Mr Laird and Mr McManamon were at a bowling club that night playing dominos.

Sturgeon's Ford Mondeo was later noted by witnesses to be driving at excessive speeds one mile from the crash site.

The car was driven erratically with Sturgeon swerving and overtaking the witness' car on the opposing lane.

Sturgeon then went through a roundabout in the wrong direction.

The driver sounded their horn and Sturgeon in response put his hazard lights on and gesticulated rudely out of the window.

Sturgeon went on to drive at what was believed to be 70 to 80 miles per hour.

The driver stated to her partner that Sturgeon's driving was "mind-boggling" and he was "going to hit someone."

Sturgeon approached the junction at King's Park Avenue while Mr Laird was driving on the opposite side of the road.

Prosecutor Graeme Jessop said: "Mr Laird intended to turn right into Kings Park Avenue and used the filter lane to do so.

"As Mr Laird began his right turn prior to the filter light being illuminated, but as he did so, the front of Sturgeon's car collided with his car at the passenger side.

"Mr Laird's car was pushed around 10 metres Northwest into a set of metal railings.

"Sturgeon's car rotated anti-clockwise and travelled virtually across the second lane of the carriageway, mounted the central reservation.

"The car continued into the opposing carriageway and collided with a set of metal railings at the other side."

It was stated that the Sturgeon's car would have travelled even further but for the metal railings.

Mercy crews attended but Mr McManamon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Laird was taken to hospital but a short time later succumbed to his injuries.

A post-mortem examination carried out determined the cause of deaths as "multiple injuries caused by road traffic collision."

Police found Sturgeon in the driver's seat and noted he was not wearing a shoe on his right foot which was heavily bandaged.

He appeared to be under the influence and smelled strongly of alcohol. Sturgeon then failed a roadside breath test.

Mr Jessop stated that Sturgeon acted "childish" to officers and called them "chickens" and "donkeys."

Sturgeon was arrested and said: "I'm f***ing steaming, yous know I'm steaming, I was driving but yous aren't putting me baws deep in this."

He was initially taken to hospital to be checked over where he stated: "I've not driven for two weeks cause I had an operation on my foot."

Sturgeon refused blood tests as he was "petrified" of needles and also did not do a urine sample.

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Mr Jessop stated that Sturgeon was in "disbelief" that he had killed someone and said: "Naw you're kidding me on, I've killed someone's gran and granda?

"I'm a scumbag. I can't believe this, are you kidding me on? Please tell me you're kidding me on. I can't have done that.

"I've got five kids, I can't tell them their dad's killed someone, are you being legit?"

Sturgeon was noted to struggle to walk and his medical records revealed he was in hospital of November 8 to 14 when he had a toe on his right foot amputated as well as a toenail removed.

This took place one week before the collision.

Collision investigators believe that Sturgeon "has not allowed sufficient time and distance to react appropriately to the presence of Mr Laird's car turning across the path.

"It is probable that Mr Laird failed to appreciate the speed of Sturgeon approaching when he committed to make the right turn across the carriageway prior to the filter light being illuminated."

Retired electrician and offshore oil worker Mr Laird is survived by his wife, son, daughter and grandson.

Retired foreman Mr McManamon is survived by his two daughters and three granddaughters.

Joseph Barr, defending, told the court that Sturgeon is his most remorseful client in his 35 years in law.

The advocate read out a lengthy letter written by Sturgeon to apologise to the families who were in attendance at court.

An excerpt said: "I don't know where to start or what to say.

"I know I mean nothing to the family and I know how angry I would be if it was a member of my family.
"I cannot emphasize how much I am sorry for the loss of your family members."

The letter also stated that Sturgeon who claimed to have no memory of the incident was self-medicating after his procedure - this is to be confirmed by the Crown.

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Aberdeen by Judge Lord Colbeck.

He said: "I think, as is recognised, you will receive a lengthy custodial sentence."