Jake Loy, then 17, was the holder of a provisional driving licence and was not being supervised when he lost control of the black Honda Civic on March 16, 2022.
The 19-year-old’s vehicle collided with a Honda CR-V motor car that was being driven on the opposing carriageway on the A711 at Cargenbridge, Dumfries.
His vehicle split in half from the force of the collision. His passengers, all aged 16, were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after midnight.
The three occupants of the other vehicle were seriously injured while Loy was also badly hurt.
Loy appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, May 13, where he admitted a charge of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.
He admitted driving at excessive speed while failing to maintain control of his vehicle.
The court was told that occupants of Loy’s car had shared pictures and messages on Snapchat before the crash.
One passenger said he was ‘scared’ as Loy was ‘swerving all over the place’, was a ‘terrible driver’ and was ‘flooring it’.
On August 19, at the High Court in Glasgow, Loy was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment.
He was also disqualified from driving for a period of eight years.
Moira Orr, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said: “This was a truly tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with all those involved.
“Jake Loy chose to drive his vehicle despite not holding a full licence and being an inexperienced road user.
“His decision to drive in the dangerous manner that he did has changed many lives forever.
“We hope this conviction brings some level of comfort to the loved ones of the three young men who lost their lives as well as those who were injured.”