‘I drive past the spot my son died every day
A mother has spoken of the “agonising” pain she feels driving past the spot where her teenage son died in a horror crash every day. Dylan Irvine was killed after a red Ford Fiesta he was a passenger in left the road and crashed down an embankment on the A90 in Aberdeenshire in October 2020. The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
His friend Jake Summers, who was driving the vehicle, was left fighting for his life following the crash. On Friday, Summers was found guilty of causing Dylan’s death by careless driving at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. He is due to be sentenced on December 29.
Digby BrownDylan (left) with sister Morgan, mum Amanda and brother Kian.
Digby Brown
Following the guilty verdict, Dylan’s mother Amanda Irvine spoke out about the loss of her beloved son. She added no sentence would “come close” to reflecting the value of Dylan’s life or the significance of his loss. In a statement released via Digby Brown, Ms Irvine said: “Losing a loved one in any sudden event is horrendous but losing a child brings a pain like nothing else which only other bereaved parents could understand.
“Dylan’s absence has created a void in our family that simply cannot, and will not ever, be filled – it breaks my heart that I have to remember the laugh and cuddle of my son instead of hear and feel them. “Each day I go to work I have to drive along the same road, the very spot, where Dylan died. It’s agonising, because each time I pass it creates anxiety as I imagine what happened in those final moments and how the crash might have been avoided.”
Referencing the role Summers played in Dylan’s death, Ms Irvine said she hoped he would “go on to do something of value with his life”. She continued: “No sentence could come remotely close to reflecting the value of Dylan’s life or the significance of his loss and while accountability is important I know it doesn’t make sense to rob another young man of a future. “But it’s not enough to just feel bad or say sorry because what matters is action.
“So I hope Jake sees the outcome for what it is – an opportunity to improve, live rightly, help others and do something of value with his life and become more than just the boy racer who killed his friend.
“I’d finally like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last three years but as proceedings are now over I kindly request our privacy is respected as we attempt to move forwards.”
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