Driver left woman paralysed in crash after filming speedometer at 100mph on A90 near Ellon

A man who left a woman paralysed from the neck down after crashing into the car she was travelling in at high speed has been jailed for three years.

Gavin Coull filmed his car’s speedometer reaching 100 miles per hour moments before crashing into a Ford Fiesta on the southbound lane of the A90 near Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

Coull, 32, was high on drugs behind the wheel of his BMW with a passenger travelling on the dual carriageway late on March 11, 2021.

Jurors were shown the dashcam footage Coull uploaded to Snapchat which was captioned “burning the midnight oil” showing the car’s excessive speed.

He then struck the back of a Ford Fiesta causing it to smash through crash barriers and tumble onto a grassy embankment off the A90.

The driver of the Fiesta suffered serious injuries while the 27-year-old female passenger was left with life-changing injuries.

Following the crash, a blood sample showed evidence of drugs in Coull’s system.

He was sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after a jury found him guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Alison McKenzie, Procurator Fiscal for Aberdeen, said: “This young woman suffered catastrophic injuries as a direct consequence of Gavin Coull’s dangerous driving.

“In a split second, she was deprived of the normal and rich life she was entitled to expect.

“Yet she showed enormous bravery and courage in harrowing circumstances to give evidence to the court.

“Hopefully, she and her family will gain some comfort from the fact that justice has been served and that the accused will now spend time in prison as a result of his crimes.”

Police sergeant Craig McNeill of the Road Policing Unit said: “Coull’s disregard for road safety has had a devastating impact on this young woman.

“His actions highlight the disastrous consequences of dangerous driving and the lasting impact it has on those involved, along with their families and friends.

“Drivers must obey speed limits and respect the safety of other road users. Drivers are responsible for their actions and the temptation to take risks can have severe and long-lasting consequences for everyone involved.”