Mum grateful for Digby Brown’s support after daughter dies in car crash

Becca Sivyer was adored by her mum and her younger sisters. 

She was about to start a new job, wanted to buy her own home and make memories with her young daughter.

Becca would never get the opportunity to do any of these things. 

On 22 August 2021 she was the passenger in a car being driven by her new boyfriend, Steven Allen.

They were driving on the A94 between Coupar Angus and Forfar when the car veered off the road and hit a tree.

Becca, who was just 23 years old, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene – Steven was also seriously injured. 

Wendy Ghekis, Becca’s mum, recalled the moment she found out her daughter passed away.

She said: “It’s like a giant Jenga block, you pull out one piece and the whole thing collapses around you and you just don’t know where to start to try and pick up the pieces.

“Becca was my first-born daughter, she was the life and soul of the house. 

“She was so funny and her laugh was contagious, I would be sitting downstairs and I would hear her laughing away at something in her room.

“As the oldest, she was very close with both her sisters.

“Her passing changed everything, the hole it’s left is massive.”

Following the accident Wendy and her family came to Digby Brown for help.

They were introduced to Brian Castle, Partner in the firm’s Dundee office, who has decades of experience in helping families with fatal road accident claims – an expertise also recognised by road safety charity, Brake.

Brian visited the Ghekis family at their home to provide thorough, hands-on and empathetic support at a time when they needed it most. 

During his visit, he was also able to learn more about the kind of person Becca was and how loved and valued she was by her family.  

More than four years after the crash and several delays in criminal proceedings Steven stood trial at the High Court in Edinburgh - he was accused of causing Becca’s death by driving dangerously. 

During the trial, Steven made painful and untrue accusations about Becca – he claimed she was the one who caused the crash after grabbing the steering wheel but the jury heard that in the lead-up to the crash Steven actually used his mobile phone.

The criminal prosecution experience added to the stress felt by Wendy and her family but Brian – who was present in court every day with them – became a key source of support for the family during this time and helped explain and comfort them in ways no one else could.

Steven was jailed for four years after the jury found him guilty of causing Becca’s death.

Wendy said: “We were supposed to be getting support from the court service but in the end, it was Brian who kept us informed and explained everything. 

“If I had any questions or felt uneasy he was my go-to person.

“I am so grateful he was there. Brian really went above and beyond for us.”

Before the criminal trial began the Ghekis family began their fatal car crash claim and during this time Brian was able to build a strong case.

The first offer the insurance company made for the loss of Becca was rejected on Brian’s advice. A second offer was made but was also rejected as it did not reflect the impact the accident had on the family. 

A third offer was received from the insurance company after Steven was jailed which was accepted – five times more than the original offer.

Wendy said: “Becca would be 28-years-old now if the accident hadn’t happened. We’re missing out on that adult friendship and we won’t ever be able to get that back. 

“I’m not saying we don’t have happy moments as a family anymore, but she is the missing piece - it would be filled with more happiness and laughter if she was still here.

“It’s been five very difficult years and we’re all just so grateful to Digby Brown for all their support from the start to the end.”

Brian added: “There are no winners in cases like this. 

“Any fatality is awful but when you’re dealing with the death of a young person, especially a young mother, who has most of their life ahead of them it really is a horrid set of circumstances.

“My role is not only to support the family through this process but also get them answers about what happened to their loved one.

“I was struck by the strength and dignity of Wendy and the whole family throughout the process.”