Amputee to sue danger driver for £1m compensation

A driver who mowed down a young Paisley woman and her friend – causing horrific damage and leading to a leg amputation – is being sued for £1 million.

Alanah Boyle, 29, suffered a fractured pelvis and her friend Kerrie Lavery, 25, of Drumchapel, Glasgow, lost her right leg during the terrifying collision.

Thomas Granger, 47, drove his BMW into the pair of them at 81mph as they walked home from a charity event near ­Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in 2021.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court earlier this year, Granger was jailed for 33 months and banned from getting behind the wheel for seven years.

A compensation claim was raised at Edinburgh’s Court of Session this month.

Digby Brown, which represents Kerrie, said the cash will cover the cost of a lifetime of prosthetics and compensation for the impact on her life and lost earnings.

A Digby Brown spokesman, speaking on behalf of Kerrie, said: “For three years, Kerrie has shown a strength few others can comprehend and she has shown remarkable resilience and positivity throughout her recovery.

“The loss of a limb is a truly life-changing injury and it is only right that an affected person gets the support, treatment and compensation they deserve – especially when that injury was the fault of someone else.

“This is why a court action has now been raised on Kerrie’s behalf and we will continue to support her to ensure she accesses the best care and most positive future possible.”

In May, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that Kerrie, Alanah and several other friends left a mental health charity event to go home around midnight.

They stopped at a petrol station to buy refreshments then walked to a nearby pedestrian crossing to cross Great Western Road.

But as Kerrie and Alanah crossed, they were struck by Granger’s vehicle.

Crash investigators and CCTV analysis confirmed that Granger was driving at around 81mph – more than double the 40mph limit.

Granger carried on driving until he doubled back at Drumry roundabout to revisit the scene.

The rest of Kerrie’s group thought Granger was a passer-by and, when he stopped, they asked him to call an ambulance. However, when they realised he was the one who caused the crash, Granger promptly sped off – he was later apprehended by the police.

Alanah said: “That was the first night I met Kerrie but the aftermath resulted in us becoming very close. I was lucky to not be more significantly injured but I’ve always struggled with survivor’s guilt – I’m just proud to see how Kerrie has recovered and maintains her positivity.”

Passing sentence at the time, Sheriff William Gallacher told Granger: “This can only be described as disgraceful. Your driving was dangerous and left people with serious, life-long injuries.”

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