Female driver, 21, who drove round bend at 85mph is jailed for killing three mates after automotive ploughed into tree
A ‘reckless’ woman who killed her boyfriend and two friends after ploughing into a tree on a country road has been jailed for three years.
Jorja Colville, 21, was driving a Ford Focus and reached speeds of up to 92mph before she lost control on a C-road near Falkirk on July 26, 2024.
After taking a bend at 85mph, Colville spun off the road and crashed into a tree, claiming the lives of her boyfried Reece Williams, 23, and his friends Lewis Soden, 24, and Connor Page, 21.
Sentencing, Judge Lady Ross described Colville’s actions as ‘senseless, reckless and obviously dangerous’, and said the ‘value of a human life is immeasurable’.
Colville, of Stirling, sobbed throughout the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Stirling on Thursday, as she was jailed for three years and 10 months. She was also banned from driving for six years and 11 months.
The court heard how Colville, who passed her driving test in 2021 and was 20 at the time of the incident, sought to admit driving dangerously and at excessive speed as soon as she was discharged from hospital following the crash.
Lady Ross described the three victims as ‘young men of real character’ who were ‘already showing determination and ambition’ early in their careers, and were ‘loved and cherished’.
Speaking to Colville, she said: ‘You too knew each of these young men, Reece Williams was your boyfriend, Connor Page and Lewis Soden were your friends.
Jorja Colville had been travelling at more than 92mph, before she took a bend at 85mph and lost control of the car which crashed into a tree
Lewis Soden, 24, was among those who died in the crash
Connor Page, 21, also died in the horrific smash
Reece Williams, aged 23, also died in the tragedy
‘You were going out for dinner, happy and excited to be out. It was an early summer evening, you were on a country road so the national speed limit applied.
‘Not long before the collision you passed a clear warning sign regarding conditions. For reasons that defy understanding you were driving in well excess of the speed limit, above 80mph and reached a maximum of 92mph.
‘You lost control and result was catastrophic. Three other drivers witnessed this appallingly dangerous driving and the aftermath.
‘There was nothing emergency services could do.’
The judge added: ‘When you are in prison I encourage you to draw on support that will be provided to you and take the opportunity to think about what you will do with your life.
‘Three young men died as a result of your actions, but you have your life ahead of you.
‘You too have the strength and capacity to turn your life to good account.
‘I encourage you to live your life well, purposefully and constructively, not just for your sake but in memory of those who died.’
Defending, Gordon Martin said: ‘No matter what I say or Ms Colville does from now on, it will mean little to the family and friends of the three young men who tragically died.’
In a statement released through Digby Brown Solicitors, Mr Williams’s mother Tracy said: ‘If I close my eyes I can see Reece as a little boy laughing and helping his granddad build a summer house.
‘He was adored by his little sister and shared a special bond with his cousins and aunts. I am so proud of the kind, generous and hardworking man he became.
‘We have been blessed with these memories but are devastated there will be no more.
‘We recognise that this hasn’t just affected our family, but Jorja and her family too.
‘We know she didn’t set out to cause hurt that day, and this will be something she will carry for the rest of her life.
‘My family and I will never fully comprehend life without Reece.’
Witness Kirstin Scobbie was driving at about 60mph – the speed limit – on the Moss Road, when Colville’s car overtook her.
Following a series of bends in the road, Ms Scobbie noticed debris on the ground and then saw the Focus in bushes. The prosecutor said: ‘She noted the vehicle was on its side and had sustained serious damage.
‘She approached the white Ford and saw Jorja Colville covered in blood and screaming for help.
‘Jorja Colville said there were three other people in the car who couldn’t get out… none of them were awake and she did not know if they were breathing.’
Another driver, Dean Norris, saw the Ford approach him in the opposite lane. The prosecutor explained: ‘He saw the vehicle land back on the road surface before it lost control.’
Mr Norris turned back and went to offer help. The advocate depute said: ‘He could not find any signs of life from the three males still within the vehicle.’
When police arrived Colville confirmed she was the driver and said her boyfriend Reece Williams was in the car with her friends.
Collision investigators said the crash was caused by ‘driving at significantly excessive speed for the road layout and approaching hazards of which she was warned of’ by road signs.
Road policing inspector David Marr said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of the men who died in this tragic incident.
‘I hope this conviction and sentencing will bring some form of justice as they continue to come to terms with what happened.
‘Colville’s reckless actions cut short the lives of three young men. It’s a stark reminder of the responsibility every driver has when they get behind the wheel and how driving dangerously can have devastating consequences.’
