GRACE ROSS CAUSES FATAL ACCIDENT IN GLENROTHES AND LESLIE, AVOIDING JAIL TIME
A tragic incident in Fife has resulted in the death of 18-year-old Joshua Kerr after he was struck by a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Grace Ross.The incident occurred near the farm where Kerr was employed in Leslie on the 22nd of May, 2020.
Despite the severity of the crash, Ross has managed to avoid imprisonment, receiving a sentence of community service instead.
According to court reports, Ross admitted to causing Kerr’s death through careless driving.
She was sentenced to complete 300 hours of community service and was disqualified from holding a driving license for five years.
The court proceedings revealed that the tragic event was preceded by a heated argument between Ross and Kerr, centered around Kerr’s financial situation, including suspicions about a 'cash app' on his phone.
Ross, suspecting that Kerr was hiding something, grabbed his phone during the altercation.
In a subsequent move, she accelerated her vehicle and performed a three-point turn on a narrow road, moving at a very slow speed of just 2.3 miles per hour before the collision occurred.
The collision was devastating.
Kerr was thrown under the vehicle, with both offside wheels running over him, resulting in a severe skull fracture.
Witnesses described Ross as hysterical immediately after the incident, attempting to assist her boyfriend before she called emergency services.
She expressed deep remorse and was reported to be suffering from PTSD, highlighting her emotional distress and regret.
The judge, Lord Braid, took into account Ross’s age and her genuine remorse during sentencing.
The court noted that while she was initially charged with murder, then with causing death by dangerous driving, and finally with careless driving, the sentence ultimately reflected her remorse and the circumstances of the case.
Her legal representative emphasized her sincere regret and her profound grief over the loss of Kerr, describing her as someone who had her whole life ahead of her but was deeply affected by the tragedy.
The court acknowledged that no punishment could truly compensate for Kerr’s loss.
Nonetheless, it decided that Ross’s punishment would be served through community service, considering her age and her remorseful state.
The ruling underscores the tragic consequences of the incident and the court’s attempt to balance justice with compassion.
