Greenock taxi driver banned after injuring couple in crash
https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/new ... ple-crash/
A TAXI driver has been banned from the roads for 18 months after a ‘momentary lapse in concentration’ caused a crash in which a woman and her husband suffered fractured sternums.
John Quinn smashed into a Renault Captur on Ingleston Street on December 12, 2024.
The 61-year-old had failed to give way at a junction on Cartsburn Street before colliding with the vehicle, which had been travelling westbound on Ingleston Street.
The driver of the Captur lost control of her car due to the impact and subsequently crashed into a stone wall at Dunns MOT Testing Centre.
She and her husband sustained facial injuries when the airbags deployed, but both remained in their seats until paramedics arrived as they were unaware of the extent of their injuries.
They were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley for treatment, with both suffering fractured sternums.
The driver also sustained four broken ribs and received ten stitches to two head wounds.
She was admitted to a high dependency unit for two days following the crash, where she was given oxygen to help inflate her lungs.
Greenock Sheriff Court heard Quinn also received stitches to his head after the crash.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by careless driving at a hearing last month, with Sheriff James Varney requesting a background report before sentencing.
Quinn returned to court on Wednesday, with defence solicitor Anthony Boland telling the court his client had not driven since the incident.
Mr Boland said: “He has been a taxi driver for 16 years without any blemish on his driving record.”
He added: “It might be fairly described as a memory lapse in concentration.
“It has to be accepted that it led to serious consequences.”
Sheriff Varney accepted the serious level of harm caused by Quinn’s actions but assessed his culpability as low.
He ordered Quinn to wear an electronic tag and remain within his home address between specified hours for a period of 24 weeks.
Quinn was also banned from driving for 18 months – which was reduced from 24 months to account for his plea of guilty at an early stage in the proceedings.