Police ScotlandA drunk driver killed a grandad in a 91-mile-an-hour smash.
Callum Fox, 29, struck pedestrian Jim Paterson, 63, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, in the early hours of November 27, 2022.
Fox – who was described as “really drunk” – had earlier been at a cocktail bar with friends and ignored a plea for him not to drive.
However, Fox got behind the wheel of his Mercedes AMG A45 to go to a house party while two-and-a-half times over the limit.
Mr Paterson was heading home after a “curry night” with his friend and cousin when he encountered speeding Fox as he crossed the road.
The dad-of-three – who was married for 46 years – lost his life at the scene.
First offender Fox pleaded guilty on Monday at the High Court in Glasgow to causing death by dangerous driving.
Judge Lord Cubie said: “You caused the tragic and untimely death of Mr Paterson.
“There is nothing the court can do to properly the loss and devastation which is still evident today.
“The offence arose as a consequence of your alcohol intake – you were two-and-a-half times over the limit.
“This was your own selfish disregard for the road for your own convenience and against advice given to you.
“The speed reached is a material impact – it was grossly excessive doing 90 miles per hour in a 30 while accelerating. It gave Mr Paterson no chance of survival.
“The state of the appalling driving cannot be higher and standing the plea and consequences to Mr Paterson a substantial prison sentence will follow.”
The court heard that Mr Paterson was a plater and shipyard worker who was in good health and a keen golfer.
He was married and had three adult children and grandchildren.
Mr Paterson had been with his cousin eating, drinking and watching football in the home of a friend in Paisley.
He left to go home at 12.15am.
Meanwhile, Fox had been with two friends drinking six or seven drinks at Lumins Cocktail and Sports Bar in Paisley.
Fox – described by a friend as “really drunk” – got behind the wheel of his car to drive them to a house party in the Foxbar area.
A friend recalled saying to Fox that he should not drive but could not remember the reply.
Witnesses reported Fox as “overtaking at speed” and “driving really fast” as well as “swerving all over the road.”
Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said: “Just after 12.26am, Mr Paterson started to cross the road and was struck by Fox’s car.”
Airbag analysis found that Fox had driven from 66 miles per hour five seconds before the crash up to 91 miles per hour at the time of the collision.
The speed limit for the road was 30mph.
Fox and his friends remained at the scene after the crash while medics arrived.
Mr Paterson was pronounced dead at 12.33am, having suffered “significant external and internal” injuries.
This included fractures of the skull, spine, sternum and collarbone.
When quizzed, Fox told officers: “It was me, I was driving when I hit the guy.”
A breath test found that he had 113 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 50 milligrams.
John Scullion KC, defending, told the court: “My client is under no illusion that he will receive nothing other than custody.”
Sentencing was deferred pending a background report until January at the High Court in Kilmarnock.
Self-employed timeshare salesman Fox, of Paisley, had his remand in custody continued meantime.
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