Dangerous driver caused terrifying car crash on A9

A DRIVER who was “under the influence” caused a terrifying two-car smash which brought the A9 to a standstill.

Christopher Harper crashed into another car while attempting a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre during a torrential downpour.

Perth Sheriff Court heard the 41-year-old ploughed his Honda Civic into the central barrier, while the Ford Fiesta he struck went spinning out of control.

Its driver, Lynne Powell, was trapped inside her vehicle and had to be rescued by firefighters.

And debris from the smash was thrown into the other carriageway, forcing oncoming vehicles to take evasive action.

Harper, of Kettins Terrace, Dundee, pled guilty to dangerous driving along the dual carriageway, at excessive speed for the horrendous weather conditions, on October 20 2022, near the Findo Gask turn-off. Although prosecutors agreed to drop allegations he was driving at four times the drug drive limit with a cocaine metabolite in his system, the court heard he was “under the influence” at the time of the crash.

Prosecutor Sam Craib said: “At about 11am, Ms Powell was travelling north on the A9 to visit some family.

“She was travelling along the same section of road as the accused.

“At the time, the weather conditions were poor with heavy rain and standing water.”

Mr Craib said: “As the accused passed Ms Powell’s vehicle he moved back into lane one in front of her, but he had not left sufficient space and struck the front of her car.”

Both vehicles lost control and Harper went into the central barrier.

“Ms Powell’s vehicle began spinning and went sideways multiple times, before coming to stop on all four wheels.”

The court heard that Ms Powell was still inside her vehicle when emergency services arrived.

Mr Craib told Sheriff Simon Collins: “It is only fair to inform you that the accused was under the influence at the time.”

Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: “It is accepted that a blood analysis was carried out on the accused which indicated a positive response.”

Sheriff Collins deferred sentence for background reports but told Harper a substantial period of disqualification was inevitable.

Christopher Harper.