A Prestwick woman who suffered life-changing injuries in a car crash that killed her friend is suing one of the drivers jailed over the collision.

Gillian Kay, 43, survived the head-on smash and boy racer John Gribben was locked up for four years.

The 19-year-old and his friend Logan Knox had been racing against each other on the A77 when the crash happened.

20-year-old Knox admitted causing Joan Price's death by driving dangerously and was jailed for more than five years.

Gillian said she will need medical care for the rest of her life because of the collision that killed her beloved friend and Troon gran, Joan.

Now Gillian is seeking a six-figure-sum from Gribben, who is now 22-years-old.

Ayr Advertiser: Joan Price died in the crashJoan Price died in the crash

She said: "The accident changed my life completely - not only did I lose a friend but I've been left with permanent mobility difficulties.

"My work has been affected and I'll need ongoing medical care for the rest of my life - that is why I am now reliant on a civil case for compensation.

"The idea that one of these drivers is already close to being released from prison is sickening - he was responsible for killing someone so how is a couple of years of lost liberty fair?"

The smash happened on the A77 on the outskirts of Ayr close to Prestwick Airport on January 30, 2017.

Knox – a labourer – was banned from the road at the time.

He had only been disqualified less than three months earlier with it not due to end until May 2017.

But, he was behind the wheel of his Volkswagen bought just a week earlier.

Ayr Advertiser:

During his trial, the High Court in Glasgow heard he met mechanic Gribben at a nearby retail park – a “known gathering site for the youth car culture” in Ayr - before leaving in their respective motors.

Joan meantime was returning to her home in Troon after band practice in the opposite directiton to the racers.

Knox, ahead of Gribben, attempted to undertake a Volkswagen van but clipped it and span out of control ploughing head on into Joan's car.

The support worker tragically died at the scene while Gillian was left with her life-changing injuries.

Gillian said: "To me this proves the sentences for death by dangerous driving are too low.

"This driver killed my friend while driving at 140mph and with no license or insurance - why was he not given a higher sentence? Why was the maximum sentence not applied?

"Affected families need to believe that the justice system will protect them and uphold the values of a good community - and such a community needs a deterrent to stop people treating our roads as their own personal race tracks.

"Change needs to happen.

"I finally just want to thank my friends, family and the health care workers who have helped me during my recovery."

Damian White, of lawyers Digby Brown in Ayr, said: “Many people will likely be outraged knowing this driver is free to walk the streets and it illustrates how important it is that victims are supported and have access to the justice and compensation they deserve.

“I applaud Gillian for the strength she has shown during her recovery but as her case is ongoing it would be inappropriate to discuss any details.”