‘This has been torture for us’ – Mum of boy (2) killed in A99 crash speaks out over ‘pain and trauma’

The mother of a two-year-old Wick boy tragically killed in a crash on the A99 more than three years ago said life has been “torture” since the devastating incident.

Ashlyne Mackay and her son Iain were passengers in a vehicle which was hit when Sonya Henderson’s Nissan Qashqai was being driven on the wrong side of the carriageway.

The accident occurred 12 miles south of Wick, on August 22, 2021. Iain was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead within days, while Ashlyne was left with serious injuries.

She is now suing Henderson – who admitted causing the boy’s death and careless driving at Wick Sheriff Court earlier this month – for compensation due to the impact it has had on her life, The Scottish Sun has reported.

Sheriff Neil Wilson warned the 42-year-old from Lybster that “all [sentencing] options would be open to him” in the criminal case.

Ashlyne said: “Iain was a beautiful, happy and vibrant wee boy and he was taken from us a time when his unique personality was just starting to flourish.

“I can’t properly express how I feel about things – I think any parent who has lost a child will know what I mean.

“As well as losing Iain, I suffered life-changing injuries and my life will never be the same again.

“It has only worsened our pain and trauma that it has taken Sonya Henderson over three years to admit to causing Iain’s death. This has been torture for us. I see no reason why she could not have admitted her guilt earlier and saved us all this additional pain and worry.

“Thank you to those in the community and our family and friends for their support over the last three years – we now respectfully request that our privacy is respected as we attempt to move forwards.

“I particularly want to thank my loyal family who have been incredibly supportive of me and to whom I will be eternally grateful.”

Henderson is due to be sentenced at the Wick court on January 21.

A Digby Brown spokesman added: “I can confirm a civil action is under way following the tragic crash that claimed the life of Iain, however as the case is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”