Drunk driver jailed for killing man he hit at 91mph in Paisley

A drink driver who killed a pedestrian while travelling at 91mph in a 30mph zone has been jailed for more than six years.

Callum Fox, 29, struck Jim Paterson, 63, in Bredilands Road, Paisley, at about 02:00 on 27 November 2022.

Fox had earlier been at a bar and was described by friends as being “really drunk”. He had ignored pleas not to get behind the wheel of his Mercedes A45.

The timeshare salesman, who had earlier admitted causing the death of the father-of-three by dangerous driving, was found to be more than double the alcohol limit.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Cubie jailed Fox for six years and four months. The term was cut from eight years due to his guilty plea.

The judge said Fox had shown a “selfish disregard” for the laws of the road.

He said: “I have read the victim impact statements. Mr Paterson was a much-loved partner, father, grandfather, brother and cousin.

“The consequences of his loss will hang over them indefinitely.

“The speed was a material factor – grossly excessive, 90mph in a 30mph zone while accelerating, giving Mr Paterson no chance.

“The harm caused could not be higher.”

Fox, from Paisley, was also banned from driving for 11 years and two months after he is released.

The court heard how shipyard worker Paterson had been heading home after a “curry night” with a friend and cousin when he was hit by Fox’s vehicle.

Fox had also been on a night out and had six or seven drinks at Lumins Cocktail and Sports Bar in Paisley.

He started driving to a house party and hit Paterson as he crossed the road.

Paterson, who was also from Paisley, died at the scene.

One of Fox’s friends said he had warned him not get behind the wheel.

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.”

Tests later found that Fox had driven from 66mph five seconds before the collision up to 91mph at the time of impact.

Fox remained at the scene following the incident.

He told police: “It was me, I was driving when I hit the guy.”

A blood test found that he had 113mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 50 mg.

Paterson’s injuries included fractures of the skull, spine, sternum and collarbone.

The court was told Fox “could offer no excuses” for what he had done.