Relatives of a man killed in a horrific fireball car crash have called on anyone harbouring those responsible to show some compassion and come forward.
Jonathan Smith, 29, died after a speeding stolen Audi A3, which was later found abandoned in the Cowdenbeath area, forced a family’s BMW to plough into his Peugeot 206 in the early hours of Friday May 25 in Edinburgh’s Maybury Road.
Police in Fife have continued to focus their efforts on trying to trace the occupants of the Audi over the weekend and have urged anyone who may have seen the grey vehicle – which had the number plate SM17 EAK – to contact police as soon as possible.
While that search goes on, Mr Smith’s friends and family hope someone in Fife may hold a key piece of information which will lead to justice for their loved one.
In a Facebook post, his uncle Robert McCallum described those who sped off in the Audi as “sick individuals” and pleaded for help in catching the driver whose actions caused the death of his nephew.
“These individuals who have carried out this barbaric atrocity (and you know who you are) go on in a day to day basis with no remorse, feelings for others, sympathy, or indeed understanding for what they have done and have absolutely no idea the scars they have left behind on a grieving family.
“Our families appeal to absolutely anyone who may have any information whatsoever to please come forward and show compassion and be humane.
“Ask yourself what you would do if you were in the same position and if you had to feel the feelings that Jonny’s mother, father, brothers, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends are all feeling, and will be feeling for the rest of their lives.
“We don’t feel sorry for ourselves, we feel most sorry for poor Jonathan who had to endure what he did.
“This is all due to the blatant arrogance, ignorance utter disregard that these human beings showed.”
It is understood the person driving the stolen car may have overtaken up to five cars on chevrons and veered on to the opposite carriageway just before it caused the BMW to swerve into Mr Smith’s car. His vehicle burst into flames and he was unable to get out.
The Audi driver is said to have stopped briefly before speeding off again prior to the arrival of emergency services at around 12.30am, with officers later finding the vehicle dumped in Cowdenbeath.
Officers could be seen scouring the area where the Audi A3 was abandoned over the weekend, although police have not revealed if they believe those responsible are still in Fife.
A blonde woman who administered assistance to the BMW occupants has since been traced by police and has given a statement, while inquiries are continuing to find a small dark-coloured hatchback that was travelling north from the Maybury roundabout, towards the Barnton junction, just before the incident occurred.
Detective Inspector Graham Grant, from Corstorphine CID, said: “We remain extremely keen to identify and speak to those within the dark-coloured hatchback, as they may have useful information that will ultimately help us identify anyone who was within the stolen Audi A3.
“I would like to stress that this car has done absolutely nothing wrong and we just wish the occupants to assist with our inquiries.
“I would also like to reassure communities that the stolen Audi A3, which was using false registration plate SM17 EAK, has been recovered.
“The vehicle which has this legitimate plate is still within Edinburgh and is not linked to this inquiry.
“If you believe you have any other information relevant to this ongoing investigation then please come forward.”
Those with information can contact Corstorphine CID via 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
