The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Motorist hit trailer which was in his lane on A90 Lorry driver caused death of pensioner in ‘tragic’ crash
A lorry driver has admitted causing the death of a Dundee pensioner in a “tragic” road crash.
Glenn Craib, 46, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Aberdeen to causing the death of Witold Solski, 65, through careless driving on the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee road on November 25 2015.
Craib, of Elgin, will return to the dock today for sentencing.
Craib initially stood trial for causing Mr Solski’s death by dangerous driving but jurors were sent home after defence lawyers and the Crown agreed an amended charge.
He admitted driving an HGV carelessly from Nether Careston Road on to the dual carriageway before stopping on a central reservation.
This caused part of the trailer unit attached to the lorry to encroach on the outside lane of the northbound carriageway.
As Craib waited for traffic to clear, the trailer was struck by a white Skoda Octavia driven by Mr Solski, formerly of Balmoral Gardens.
Mr Solski was cut free from the wreckage of his Skoda by firefighters but was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was driving between Forfar and Brechin when the collision took place on the northbound carriageway near the Careston/Balnabreich junction.
A 30-year-old female passenger in the car was taken to Ninewells Hospital for treatment but was not seriously injured
Addressing the jury, presiding Judge Morris said: “I think you have to look at carelessness in this case.
“It can be a momentary lapse of concentration and in this case it’s clearly a tragic accident.”
At the time of the crash Mr Solski’s friend Thomasz Zalewski, 37, who owns a Polish food store, said: “I was shocked to hear the news about Witold.
“He was a great guy, really friendly to everyone he met. He just liked to spend time with his family . He will be missed — he was just a great guy in every way.”
In this case it’s clearly a tragic accident