The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Woman cleared of causing tragic death of boyfriend
COURT: Accused claimed her car crashed due to the state of the road
A family hit out yesterday after a driver was cleared of causing her boyfriend’s death by driving carelessly on a slip road.
Vicki Williamson, 36, of Dundee, was giving 26-year-old Liam Thornton a lift to his work at Burger King in Aberdeen when she was involved in a collision with another car.
The motorist lost control of her silver Vauxhall Corsa and crashed into the Blue Ford Focus on the outskirts of the city on August 12, 2014.
She went on trial accused of causing Mr Thornton’s death at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Tuesday but was cleared of the offence yesterday.
A jury of nine men and six women found the charge against her not proven by a majority verdict.
During the trial, the court heard that the slip road leading off the A90 was in a “poor” state of repair. It was worn in places and had a noticeable dent in the road which was often greasy in wet conditions.
Ms Williamson told the court during her evidence that she felt as if she had skidded on black ice and her car failed to react to her trying to steer out of the way of the other car.
Williamson was also seriously injured in the crash and spent 11 weeks in hospital recovering from broken ribs and a broken pelvis.
A four-year-old child, who was travelling in her car, was also injured in the accident and her dog died.
Ms Williamson wept as the jury found the case against her not proven yesterday. She had previously admitted driving with a defective tyre which was marginally under the 1.6mm limit and fined 80 pounds yesterday.
She was also given three points on her licence.
Following the verdict, Mr Thornton’s furious family said they were shocked by the verdict.
One family member, who did not want to be named, said: “I just think it’s ridiculous.
“That’s what Liam’s life was worth – three points on a licence.”