A BARRHEAD woman has told how she has been left traumatised after teenage joyriders ploughed into her car.

Cara McCarthy, 24, said she is struggling to recover from her physical and mental injuries as a result of the stolen Vauxhall Omega careering into her Audi, leaving both vehicles badly damaged.

She was driving along Caplethill Road, on the outskirts of Barrhead, when the other car came hurtling along in the opposite direction.

Police are still hunting the joyriders, who ran off without trying to help Cara.
She told the Barrhead News: “I’ve been in agony since the accident and, mentally, I’m completely shot. 

“I’ve had to phone the GP to get stronger painkillers.

“I was very lucky in that the accident could have been a lot worse.

“The two boys ran away and it’s made me think they could do it again – but, this time, kill someone.

“They had so little regard for me or anyone else on the road that day.”

Barrhead News:

Cara told how the Vauxhall had been swerving and hitting hedges on the road before crashing into her.

The two youths in the car, who she believes could be as young as 16, stopped briefly to look at her before running towards Barrhead.

Cara, a support worker at the Citizens Advice Bureau in the town’s Main Street, added: “There was nothing I could do to avoid the impact, as they had no control over the vehicle.

“When the accident happened, I just burst into tears. I was in shock.

“Since then, I have definitely got worse rather than better. I am now at the angry stage and worried that the boys who did this are going to get away with it unless someone comes forward.”

The accident happened as Cara was driving into Barrhead, just before Cross Stobs.

She said: “The morning after, when I woke up, I was in so much pain that I fainted.

“I have been off work for the last week and don’t know when I’ll be able to go back.

“I would appeal to anyone who knows anything to come forward as these two joyriders are clearly very dangerous individuals.

“I was very lucky but this could happen to someone else and they might not be.

“I feel I might recover physically but it will take a while before I recover mentally.

“The main stress to me is that these boys are still out there and haven’t been held accountable for what they did.”

At the time of the accident, Cara had just finished work and was dropping off a Christmas gift to a friend.

She was then planning to have a festive party with her friends on Zoom, which had to be cancelled.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the crash, which took place at lunchtime on Tuesday, December 15.

A spokesperson said: “The two young male occupants of the estate car ran off following the crash.

“Police enquires into the circumstances of the incident continue.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.