The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Delivery driver admits causing fatal M8 crash
COURT: Fife man was killed after van crashed into back of his car in tailback
A court has heard of the “sincere regret and remorse” of a man who caused a fatal fireball crash on the M8.
Delivery driver Alexander Cassidy pled guilty yesterday to driving without due care and attention on July 20 2015, causing 49-year-old Inverkeithing man Wayne Strickland’s death.
Judge Lord Clark disqualified Cassidy from driving with immediate effect and called for a social work background report before he passes sentence at the High Court in Glasgow on April 19.
Cassidy, 29, from Kilmarnock, admitted failing to observe slow moving and stationary traffic which had tailed back on to the inside lane at junction 3 because of roadworks on the A899 at Livingston.
The High Court at Livingston was told Cassidy had been returning to Kilmarnock after delivering sandwiches to various addresses in Edinburgh.
His Mercedes Sprinter van slammed into the back of Mr Strickland’s Peugeot, shunting it into the vehicle in front.
Mr Strickland, who was severely injured, was trapped in his car, which almost immediately exploded into flames.
Advocate depute Jane Farquhar, prosecuting, said: “The accused tried immediately to get in Mr Strickland’s car, which was engulfed in flames.
“He had to be dragged away because it was too hot and there were fears it might explode.”
Miss Farquhar said a tracking device showed when the ignition was cut, the van was travelling at 50.3mph.
She said a doctor who was in a car further up the slip road saw the fire and ran back to offer any medical assistance she could.
The doctor saw Cassidy pacing about the scene with his head in his hands.
She heard him say “I tried the door. I tried to get him out but the door was jammed. It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault! If I’d been able to stop, it would not have happened”.
Miss Farquhar revealed a postmortem examination found evidence of traumatic injuries which could have caused Mr Strickland’s death.
However, she said there was no convincing evidence of combustion inhalation, which indicated that perhaps death might have occurred on impact and not as a result of the fire.
She said Mr Strickland was a married father of two and stepfather to four other offspring.
He had left the Royal Navy 20 years before, studied for a business degree at Heriot Watt University and worked as business adviser with West Lothian Council at Almondvale Centre in Livingston.
Barry Smith, defence advocate, told the court: “Mr Cassidy is most anxious I should formally express and record on this day his most sincere regret and remorse at the tragic consequences of this accident.
“Also (he wants me) to express on his behalf his most sincere condolences to the family of Mr Strickland, some of whom are in court today.”
He had to be dragged away because it was too hot and there were fears it might explode