A top cop has spoken out after three people died in a terrible crash on the M8

We reported how on September 19, 2021, Lee Docherty fell asleep at the wheel of a hired Audi Q7 on the M8 motorway near Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

Seven of his colleagues were in a powerful 4×4 car at the time.

Mark Downie, 31, David Paton and Manveer Benning – both 27 – died following the high-speed crash.

READ MORE: Crime boss kills three friends in terrifying 127mph M8 crash

(Photo: included)

Meanwhile, the other four were seriously injured in the incident.

On Monday, June 10, Docherty, 38, appeared before the High Court in Glasgow where he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

It was there that in April this year he was sentenced to eight years in prison for running a drugs gang operating out of a heavily barricaded block of flats in Greenock, Inverclyde, known as “the shop”.

Images of victims (Image: Police Scotland)

For this last offense, Lord Clark sentenced him to an additional nine years.

After the verdict, a top policeman spoke about the accident.

District Commander, Chief Superintendent Lorraine Napier, said: “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who died and were injured in this incident.”