A motorist who struck and killed a 70-year-old man while driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. Gary Gallacher, 37, was also using his mobile phone at the moment he hit James Craig in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, on 27 October 2024. According to BBC News, Craig never recovered from the collision, and Gallacher did not stop at the scene.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Gallacher had picked up associates in a hired Mercedes A Class vehicle and consumed multiple bottles of Desperado beer and Buckfast tonic wine throughout the evening. Craig, a maintenance engineer, had been at his local pub and was walking home after midnight when the collision occurred. A witness observed the vehicle but expected Gallacher to brake or swerve; instead, the driver made no attempt to avoid Craig. According to STV News, Craig died at the scene from a neck injury caused by cervical spinal cord trauma.
What happened at the moment of impact?
The court was told that a front-seat passenger had been attempting to connect his phone to the car's radio system when the crash occurred. Gallacher was simultaneously using his mobile phone while driving and attempting to show the passenger content related to boxing on the device. The passenger shouted at Gallacher after spotting Craig in front of the vehicle, but by then it was too late. Prosecutor Naomei Warner described the impact as "quite substantial," and Gallacher continued driving after striking Craig rather than stopping immediately.
Why did the driver not stop?
Gallacher stated he could not stop because he was already "on the run." The court heard that all passengers in the vehicle were upset by what had occurred. Gallacher initially refused to let them out of the car, but they were eventually dropped off at another location. BBC News reporting indicated that Gallacher told police he knew he was "wanted," and the Mercedes was later found with damage to its bumper, wing mirror and door. He did not attempt to obtain help for Craig following the collision.
What was the victim's background?
Craig's family described him as a "beloved dad and papa." Passersby at the scene attempted to assist him, with one young man performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation while emergency services were being summoned. Despite these efforts, Craig's injuries proved fatal. He had suffered trauma to both his head and body in the collision.
What is Gallacher's criminal history?
Gallacher had an extensive record of road traffic offences. His previous convictions included a 2004 dangerous-driving conviction and driving while disqualified. In 2017, he was jailed for his involvement in the kidnap of a gym boss outside his home. The court heard that he had been convicted twice previously for dangerous driving, making this latest offence part of a troubling pattern of behaviour behind the wheel.
What sentence did Gallacher receive?
Gallacher pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison at the High Court in Glasgow. He was also banned from driving for 12 years and five months. However, this sentence will not begin immediately; it will commence once a four-year prison term he is currently serving for an unrelated offence concludes.
Lord Renucci, the sentencing judge, stated:
You have pled guilty to an extremely serious charge. No sentence can in any way make up for the loss suffered by Mr Craig's family and friends as a result of his premature death at your hands. You have an appalling record including two convictions for dangerous driving. Mr Craig was a vulnerable pedestrian and you did not stop afterwards even when you were asked to do so by passengers.
What did Gallacher claim about his condition?
When arrested in early February 2025 for a separate matter, Gallacher admitted he had not attempted to obtain help for Craig. However, he denied being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision, claiming instead that he had taken prescribed medication. The court rejected this defence, having heard evidence that he was "full of it on drink and drugs" at the moment of impact.
Key Facts
- Gary Gallacher, 37, was sentenced to six years and nine months for causing the death of James Craig, 70, in a hit-and-run on 27 October 2024 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
- Gallacher was using his mobile phone, had consumed alcohol and drugs, and did not brake or attempt to avoid Craig before the collision
- Craig died from cervical spinal cord trauma sustained in the impact; passersby attempted to help him at the scene
- Gallacher has previous convictions for dangerous driving and was jailed in 2017 for kidnapping; his current sentence will begin after he completes a separate four-year prison term
- He was banned from driving for 12 years and five months
