A 37-year-old man has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a 70-year-old grandfather in a hit-and-run collision in Hamilton. Gary Gallacher struck James Craig with a hired Mercedes on Quarry Street in South Lanarkshire on 27 October 2024, leaving the scene without stopping or offering assistance. The High Court in Glasgow heard that Gallacher, who had previous convictions for kidnap and dangerous driving, was distracted by his mobile phone at the time of the collision.
Craig, described by his family as a deeply loved father and grandfather, died at the scene. Paramedics attended and attempted resuscitation, but he had suffered severe injuries to his head, chest and limbs and could not be revived. According to police statements, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene after the crash investigation began.
Gallacher confessed to his involvement in February 2025 when he was arrested over a separate matter in Falkirk. He told officers that he made no attempt to stop or help Craig and acknowledged that he knew he was wanted by police at the time.
What happened during the collision?
The Mercedes A Class was not travelling at excessive speed, but a witness stated it was positioned very close to Craig as he walked home from his local pub. Gallacher did not brake or attempt to swerve to avoid the pedestrian. Prosecutor Naomei Warner told the court that as Craig began to cross the road, the vehicle struck him with considerable force, throwing him from the road surface towards the kerb.
The impact was substantial enough to cause significant injuries. Emergency services responded quickly, but resuscitation efforts proved unsuccessful. According to police reports, the black Mercedes A Class was later traced and underwent extensive forensic examinations.
What was Gallacher's condition at the time?
The court heard that Gallacher had consumed bottles of Desperado beer and Buckfast tonic wine before driving. A front seat passenger, Kyle Cassidy, was showing boxing content on Gallacher's mobile phone when he spotted Craig ahead of the vehicle and warned Gallacher to move. Despite this warning, Gallacher continued driving and told Cassidy:
I can't stop. I'm on the run.
Gallacher was described as being intoxicated and under the influence of drugs. He sped away from the scene with other passengers in the car who were upset by what had happened, but he refused to stop or allow them to exit the vehicle. All passengers were eventually dropped off at different locations throughout the night. When arrested, Gallacher denied being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, claiming instead that he had taken prescribed medication.
What was done with the vehicle?
The hired Mercedes was returned to the hire company with visible damage to the bumper, wing mirror and door. Police traced the vehicle the following week and carried out detailed forensic analysis to establish its involvement in the fatal collision.
What is Gallacher's criminal history?
Gallacher has a significant criminal record. He was jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2017 after taking part in the kidnap of gym boss Garry McMillan outside his home in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. His previous convictions also include a 2004 dangerous driving conviction and driving while disqualified. This pattern of serious offences prompted Craig's family to raise concerns about how someone with such a history came to be in a position where this tragedy could occur.
How did Craig's family respond?
In a statement after the guilty plea hearing, Craig's family expressed mixed emotions about the outcome. They said:
Nothing can bring our dad back or undo what happened, but having responsibility for his death acknowledged is a relief and means a great deal to our family.
The family added:
Now that the circumstances surrounding his death and the history of the person responsible are being heard, what we have learned has been incredibly difficult for our family to take in. There are questions about how someone with such a significant history came to be in a position where this could happen and we hope those questions are properly understood and acknowledged during sentencing.
Craig was remembered as a beloved dad and papa by those close to him, and his family said they would live with the pain of his loss for the rest of their lives.
What happens next?
Gallacher pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow. Judge Lord Renucci deferred sentence until November 2025 to allow time for background reports to be prepared. According to court reports, Gallacher has been remanded in custody pending his sentencing hearing.
Key Facts
- Gary Gallacher, 37, admitted causing James Craig's death by dangerous driving on 27 October 2024 in Hamilton
- Gallacher was distracted by his mobile phone and had consumed alcohol before the collision
- Craig, 70, died at the scene after suffering injuries to his head, chest and limbs
- Gallacher has previous convictions for kidnap, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified
- Sentencing is scheduled for November 2025, with Gallacher remanded in custody
