Car fanatic smashed into pedestrian at roundabout He couldn’t stop sports car
A speeding driver ploughed a top- of- the range sports car into a man as he raced through a Paisley roundabout.
Liam Gallacher was driving so fast he was unable to stop in time before striking Ionut Stanila as he crossed at Barskiven Road in town.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard how the 21-year-old had paid “a tremendously high insurance premium” to drive the Audi TT and had given up the car following the crash.
In court, Gallacher claimed his view had been blocked by a lamppost and that he was not anticipating anyone would be attempting to cross the road.
Depute fiscal Frank Clark said that the injured pedestrian’s friend heard the revving engine as it approached and shouted to Mr Stanila to get out of the way.
The warning came too late and in a split second, he was knocked to the ground.
Gallacher, of Scott Avenue, Johnstone, stopped and ran back to provide assistance as an ambulance was summoned.
Defence agent Peter Galletly said that his client had expressed remorse and no longer had the sports car.
He felt it had been “a momentary lapse.”
The accused was someone “with a passion for cars” who had been fully insured despite the fact that the premium had been “tremendously high.”
In court, he admitted driving carelessly, failing to keep the licensing authority advised of changes to his address and failing to register himself as the vehicle’s keeper.
He also admitted having unlawful possession of cannabis at the time.
Mr Clarke explained that what could be described as “a spliff” had been found by police who went to the scene.
After considering the facts and circumstances outlined as well as submissions, Sheriff Colin Pettigrew said it was a blessing that the injuries sustained had not been more serious, but he had to focus on the manner of driving involved rather than the consequences.
The offence was one which had to be viewed at the higher end of the spectrum of carelessness.
He imposed fines totalling £670 to be paid at £35 per week, and endorsed Gallacher’s licence with six penalty points.