The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Mechanic could face jail after causing fatal crash
Biker died following accident while out celebrating 47th birthday
A mechanic who killed a biker in a horrific crash on the day the tragic father-of-two celebrated his birthday is facing a possible jail term.
Douglas Lawie was out riding with a friend in Angus when Alexander Stirling’s BMW collided with Mr Lawie’s Honda CB 1000 bike.
Mr Lawie – who had turned 47 on the day of the crash on August 20 last year – was sent careering down the road and suffered fatal injuries.
Stirling was told he could face a prison sentence after he admitted a charge of causing death by careless driving.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Mr Lawie – a businessman who ran an industrial supply company in Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire – had gone out on his bike with a friend to travel to Alloa to meet another pal to celebrate his 47th birthday.
They were on the return leg of the journey when they stopped in Arbroath for fuel before setting off for home in Inverurie.
The pair then set off again – but tragedy struck near Inverkeilor, Angus, when the crash occurred.
Fiscal depute John Adams told the court Stirling was driving his 1 Series behind a Dacia Duster car which was leading a line of cars on the single carriageway road at less than 50mph.
He said: “The accused edged out into the opposite carriageway. The deceased had no time to react to the vehicle being in his side of the carriageway.
“The deceased and the motorcycle slid along the carriageway and came to a rest further on.
“The deceased was found breathing and conscious but moaning, obviously in pain and with a broken leg.
“Mr Lawie’s friend had ridden ahead and returned down the road when he didn’t catch up.
“He saw his friend on the carriageway, conscious and breathing.
“Mr Lawie said ‘Kettle, help’ - ‘Kettle’ being the nickname of his friend. “He lost around two litres of blood. “An ambulance and heli-med team attended and he was transported to Ninewells Hospital.
“During the journey his breathing deteriorated and he was met with a trauma team en-route.
“Upon arrival he went into cardiac arrest and despite numerous attempts to resuscitate him he passed away.
“An expert report found no defects with either vehicle.
“The collision occurred approximately one metre into the deceased’s side of the road.
“There could be no blame at all attached to the deceased.”
Stirling, 23, of Montrose, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of causing death by careless driving committed on the A92 near Inverkeilor, Angus, on August 20 last year.
Defence counsel Ian Duguid QC said Stirling was “remorseful for his actions and the consequences”.
He added: “My submission ultimately is that this was a terrible accident and the misjudgment was towards the lower end of the scale.
“This was a terrible accident with life changing consequences.
“The accused is a thoroughly responsible, diligent and decent young man and for that reason these events have been quite shocking for him and the members of his family who are supporting him today.
“The collision was rather unusually between the side of the car and the extremity of the handlebars of the motorcycle.
“The consequence was that the handlebars turned in to the vehicle and the motorcycle collided with the side of the BMW.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence until July 4 for social work background reports and released Stirling on bail meantime.
He said: “I would express my condolences and those of the court to the family of Mr Lawie.
“Mr Lawie lost his life and did so in circumstances that were dreadful.
“All sentencing options are open up to and including a custodial sentence,” added the sheriff.
Upon arrival he went into cardiac arrest and despite numerous attempts to resuscitate him he passed away. JOHN ADAMS