Drink-driver killed woman after going wrong way down M8

Ross Parker crashed into Margo Boulazreg’s Fiat on the M8 in Glasgow, having got into his car after a night at the pub.

Parker was heard saying minutes after the crash: “I shouldn’t even be driving. I’m wrecked.”

The 36-year-old yesterday admitted causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.

Parker, of the city’s Jordanhill, will now spend Christmas behind bars after a judge remanded him pending sentencing next month.

Parker had been at a bar in Glasgow’s southside watching football before getting into his Renault Megane. The father-of-two soon drove onto the eastbound carriageway of the M8 near the city’s Helen Street – into the face of on-coming traffic.

The court heard that he ignored “No Entry” signs when going on to the motorway.

Prosecutor Hugh Irwin said motorists flashed their lights and sounded their horns to warn Parker, but to no avail.

One driver, Daniel Little, had to take evasive action to avoid hitting Parker, and then stopped to dial 999.

Mrs Boulazreg, 53, of Houston, Renfrewshire, was on the M8 at about 11:30pm taking her 18-year-old son Callum to meet friends in Glasgow.

Mr Irwin said: “Callum saw the headlights of the accused’s car travelling towards them in the same lane.

“Mrs Boulazreg screamed and swerved her car to the left crossing into another lane where she straightened her vehicle.

“The accused’s car also swerved into the same lane where it collided with the front offside corner of Mrs Boulazreg’s vehicle.”

The prosecutor said the impact caused a “huge amount of crush damage” to both cars.

The court was told Mrs Boulazreg – a project manager with disability charity Quarriers – was trapped in her Fiat Punto and died at the scene.

Her teenage son was rushed to hospital after being freed by police and members of the public.

Parker was seen staggering out of his wrecked car looking “shaky”.

He said to a young woman who had stopped at the scene: “I shouldn’t even be driving. I’m wrecked.”

As the victim lay dead in her car, Parker added: “I just want a fag. I’m so drunk. I’ve wrecked everything about my life.”

Parker – a former print worker – was later quizzed by police and said: “It’s my fault. I’m drunk.”

A blood sample from Parker was tested and it was found he could have been twice the drink drive limit at the time of the fatal crash.

John Keenan, defending, said Parker had shown “deep regret and remorse” at what happened.

Judge Lord Stewart deferred sentencing for reports until 11 January at the High Court in Edinburgh.