The sister of a girl who was killed in a horrific crash on the A92 has spoken for the first time about the tragedy, on the day the driver who admitted causing her death appeared in court.
Lauren Reilly (20) revealed she became a shoulder to cry on for her sister’s boyfriend Jamie Murray, who pleaded guilty to a careless driving charge at an earlier court appearance.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier, the young waitress from St Andrews also admitted her friendship with Murray has left her ”torn” and suggested the 22-year-old has suffered enough.
Lauren’s sister Sara Louise Scott (20) died in Queen Margaret Hospital from injuries sustained when Murray’s blue Seat Ibiza overturned on the A92 near Freuchie on November 5 2010.
The car hit a verge, went into a spin, rolled several times and mounted a verge on the opposite side of the road.
The charge said Murray had been driving at ”excessive speed.”
He walked away with minor injuries but doctors could not save Sara, who died less than two weeks after celebrating her 20th birthday with a fireworks party.
”It still hurts every day,” Lauren said, with tears rolling down her cheeks. ”The entire family is in bits about it. I’m torn. I feel like Jamie has had enough punishment already but then I remember he did take my sister’s life.
”Jamie was a friend. After the crash he confided in me a lot. We met up a couple of times. I don’t know how to explain it.”
Lauren also paid a glowing tribute to her sister, who was studying childcare at Elmwood College before she died.
She said: ”Sara was very headstrong. It was her way or no way. She was fun, loud, happy, and always smiling.
”That’s how I’d like people to remember her. Not as the girl who died in that crash. When I see pictures of the mangled car it really upsets me.”
Murray admitted causing death by dangerous driving at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on June 20 and sentence was deferred until yesterday for background reports.
The court heard, however, that he has failed to attend appointments with officials who collate the reports.
Murray’s lawyer admitted that on one occasion ”he was on nightshift the night before and he slept in.”
Murray also claimed not to have received letters from the authorities, to which Sheriff McCulloch replied: ”I find it difficult to believe that letters have gone missing.”
The lawyer also told the court that Murray is ”going through a very difficult period in relation to the matter” but also accepted that ”his failure to bring the matter to a close has affected the family.”
Sheriff McCulloch said he is ”well aware of the effect on the deceased’s family” and remanded Murray in custody ”to make sure I get these reports.”
He added: ”In view of the important subject matter and the nature of the offence, Mr Murray should be remanded in custody now.”
Murray will now be sentenced on August 9.