Ex-prisoner admits killing grandfather in drunken hit-and-run while 'on the run' from police

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026.

Gary Gallacher, 37, who had prior convictions for kidnap and dangerous driving, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to killing James Craig, 70, with a hired Mercedes while drunk, on his mobile phone, and fleeing the scene. Craig, a maintenance engineer and father of three, was struck on Quarry Street in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, just after midnight on 27 October 2024, as he made his way back from a nearby pub. Gallacher did not admit his guilt until February last year, only coming forward after his arrest in connection with an unrelated matter. Craig's family said the grief of losing him would stay with them for the remainder of their lives.

Gallacher had spent the night drinking Desperado beer and Buckfast tonic wine and was showing boxing footage on his phone when he hit Craig.

Passenger Kyle Cassidy called out a warning after seeing Craig directly ahead of the vehicle, but Gallacher made no attempt to brake or swerve and told Cassidy: 'I can't stop — I'm on the run.'

The collision threw Craig into the road; he sustained head, chest and limb injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene despite resuscitation attempts.