In a devastating incident on March 12, 2022, Sam Barber, 28, lost control of his BMW 315i, resulting in the death of his girlfriend, Beth Damer, 20. The tragic accident occurred on the A72 in Biggar, Lanarkshire.
Barber, who had just picked up the car the day before, was speeding at approximately 103mph—far exceeding the 60mph speed limit on the road—when he lost control of the vehicle. Witnesses described seeing Barber’s BMW speeding recklessly before the crash. One observer noted, “I watched in disbelief. I believe the car could have been well in excess of 90mph.
The speed of the car was ridiculous given the road conditions.” The car, driven erratically, hit a fence and then plowed into a field, flipping onto its roof. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Barber frantically waving for help. The passenger door was ripped off, and Damer was trapped underneath the severely damaged vehicle. Despite the efforts of those at the scene, Damer suffered fatal injuries.
Driver’s Past and Legal Proceedings
Barber, from Peebles in the Scottish Borders, has a history of careless driving and speeding, with six points already on his license at the time of the crash. Following the accident, he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at the High Court in Glasgow. He faces a significant prison sentence when he is sentenced in October.
The court heard from collision investigators that Barber’s excessive speed was the sole cause of the crash. Defense attorney Marco Guarino expressed the severity of Barber’s remorse but acknowledged that it could not compensate for the loss experienced by Damer’s family.
