The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Car ‘catapulted into the air’ after ‘hit and run’ crash on street
A“hit-and-run” driver’s car was “catapulted” into the air after striking a parked vehicle in Perth.
Calum Clark’s Ford Fiesta tumbled several times before coming to a halt on its roof on Rannoch Road.
The 24-year-old landscape gardener asked a stunned onlooker for a cigarette after managing to scramble out of the upturned car.
But he was nowhere to be seen when police arrived, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Clark, of Rona Court, Perth, was banned from the road after admitting a charge of careless driving on the morning of September 29 2022.
He further admitted failing to report the accident within 24 hours.
Fiscal depute Duncan McKenzie said: “At about 9.50am, the accused was driving east along Rannoch Road.
“He failed to observe a vehicle which was parked at the roadside.
“Mr Clark collided with the front wheel of the car, which caused the vehicle to mount the pavement.”
Mr McKenzie said the parked car, a Volkswagen Polo, was “extensively damaged.”
He added: “Mr Clark’s vehicle was catapulted into the air.
“It rotated a number of times, before turning on to its roof.
“The vehicle slid on to the opposing carriageway and came to rest, partly on a footpath.”
The prosecutor said: “Mr Clark was able to extract himself from the vehicle.
“Once outside, he asked a bystander for a cigarette.”
Clark was later traced by officers at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and confirmed he had been driving.
“He said he had spoken to the owner of the other car and was going to get her details,” said Mr McKenzie.
“She knew where he stayed, he said.”
Mr McKenzie said both vehicles were written off.
The parked car was valued at around £2,000.
“Mr Clark was the only person injured,” said the fiscal depute.
“He suffered a laceration to his right hip.”
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said his client had to undergo a CT scan in hospital.
“Insurance has sorted out claims from both parties,” he said.
“Mr Clark is a landscape gardener and needs to travel for his employment.”
Sheriff Paul Brown fined Clark £440 and imposed five penalty points, resulting in a six-month ban due to totting-up procedures.
The police launched an appeal for witnesses following the collision.
A spokeswoman at the time said: “There was no one in the car upon arrival of officers, but following inquiries the driver was later traced.”
Mr Clark’s vehicle was catapulted into the air