Woman admits careless driving

A 21- year-old driver has admitted speeding and ploughing into a pensioner who was making her way to church.

Ashleigh McKechnie, of 5 Strathhalladale, Hairmyres, admitted driving without due care and attention on Murray Road near to its junction with Murrayhill when s he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week. Sentence has been deferred until July 14.

She struck 86- year-old Margaret Meechan while she was behind the wheel of her Fiat 500.

The pensioner, who t he court heard had been making her way to morning Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church around 8am, died from her injuries at Hair myres Hospital following the accident on October 29, 2014.

McKechnie pled guilty to driving without reasonable consideration for other people using the road by driving in excess of the speed limit, failing to keep a proper look out, failing to reduce her speed for a pedestrian crossing the carriage way and striking the pensioner, causing her severe injuries.

The court head at an earlier hear i ng t hat a number of shocked witnesses r ushed to the OAP’s side following the tragic accident, including parish priest Bill Nolan, who administer the last rites at the scene.

Police launched an investigation following the accident and appealed for witnesses to assist them in their enquiries.