Families of three teenagers killed in crash receive compensation after legal action against driver

The families of three boys killed in a car crash near Dumfries have received a six-figure payout following legal action against a teenage driver.

Learner driver Jake Loy, who was 17 at the time, was speeding in his Honda Civic when he lost control and smashed into a Honda CRV on the A711 in Cargenbridge shortly after midnight on March 16, 2022.

Finlay Johns, Ian Cannon and Tyler Johnston – all aged 16 and passengers in the vehicle – were pronounced dead at the scene.

A judge heard how Ian had posted a message in a group chat before the crash that he was “scared” in the vehicle and that Loy was a “terrible driver”.

The court also heard the driver of the Honda, a man, was left scarred for life after suffering a fractured kneecap and hand as well as bruising.

Last year at the High Court in Glasgow, Loy pleaded guilty to causing the death of the three boys by dangerous driving and was jailed for four years and eight months.

The families of Finlay, Ian and Tyler took legal action and have now settled their civil claim for more than £100,000.

It’s also understood that a claim involving a passenger in the other car has also been resolved.

A spokesman for law firm Digby Brown, which represented the families, said: “This was a truly devastating collision – three sons were lost in an avoidable crash which resulted in life-changing and profound trauma to multiple families.

“Civil claims were lodged on behalf of those affected and I can confirm those actions have now settled but it would be inappropriate to disclose any further details.”