A woman who crashed a car and killed her boyfriend and two friends after driving around a bend at more than 85mph has been jailed for three years and 10 months.
Reece Williams, 23, Lewis Soden, 24, and Connor Page, 21, all died when Jorja Colville lost control of her Ford Focus, causing it to leave the road and travel on to a verge where it struck a tree.
A court heard how Colville, 21, had been speeding at more than 92mph in the lead up to the collision on Moss Road near the village of Dunmore, Falkirk, on 26 July 2024.
Colville admitted causing the deaths by dangerous driving at the High Court in Edinburgh in November and was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling on Thursday.
As well as the jail term, she was also banned from driving for six years and 11 months.
Lady Ross described Colville’s actions as “senseless, reckless and obviously dangerous”, and said the “value of a human life is immeasurable”.
The judge described the three victims as “young men of real character” who were “already showing determination and ambition” early in their careers, and were “loved and cherished”.
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She urged Colville to draw on the support that will be offered in prison.
Lady Ross said: “Three young men died as a result of your actions, but you have your life ahead of you. You too have the strength and capacity to turn your life to good account.
“I encourage you to live your life well, purposefully and constructively, not just for your sake but in memory of those who died.”
The judge earlier heard how the early years assistant has not driven since the fatal crash and has been diagnosed and is receiving treatment for PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Advocate depute Scott McKenzie said on the day of the crash witness Kirstin Scobbie was travelling on the road at about 60mph – the appropriate speed limit – when Colville overtook her and pulled back in close to the front of her vehicle.
Colville, of Stirling, then took off at speed.
Following a series of bends in the road, Ms Scobbie noticed debris on the roadway before spotting the Focus in bushes.
The prosecutor said: “She noted the vehicle was on its side and had sustained serious damage.
“She stopped her vehicle as she approached the white Ford and saw Jorja Colville covered in blood and screaming for help.”
Colville was said to have alerted there were three other people in the car who could not get out.
Mr McKenzie said: “She described that none of them were awake and that she did not know if they were breathing.”
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Another driver, Dean Norris, saw the Focus approaching him in the opposing lane and said it momentarily left the road surface due to the dip on the road and formed the impression it was travelling at excessive speed.
Mr McKenzie added: “He saw the vehicle land back on the road surface before it lost control as it passed him.”
Mr Norris turned back to help but could not find any signs of life from the three men inside the car.
When police arrived, Colville confirmed she was the driver and said her boyfriend, Mr Williams, was in the Focus along with her friends.
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Mr Williams sustained blunt force injuries to his head, chest, abdomen and limbs.
Mr Soden suffered multiple injuries to his head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Mr Page died from multiple blunt force head and neck injuries.
Colville suffered a broken shoulder and ribs.
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Lady Ross heard that data recovered from the car showed its speed increased greatly on the approach to the crash site, hitting a maximum speed of 92.6mph prior to a bend and continuing through the bend at speeds in excess of 85mph.
Collision investigators said the crash occurred because the driver was “driving at significantly excessive speed for the road layout and approaching hazards of which she was warned of”.
The judge heard that a section of the road before the crash site has a series of peaks and troughs with a warning sign in place to alert drivers.
In a statement released through Digby Brown Solicitors, Mr Williams’ mother Tracy said the family “will never fully comprehend life without Reece”.
She added: “If I close my eyes I can see Reece as a little boy laughing and helping his granddad build a summer house.
“He was adored by his little sister and shared a special bond with his cousins and aunts. I am so proud of the kind, generous and hardworking man he became.
“We have been blessed with these memories but are devastated there will be no more.
“We recognise that this hasn’t just affected our family, but Jorja and her family too. We know she didn’t set out to cause hurt that day, and this will be something she will carry for the rest of her life.”
