Woman sobs in dock as she admits killing biker after careless driving

A mum wept in court as she admitted killing a motorcyclist in a crash on an Aberdeenshire road.

Naima Lightwood pleaded guilty to causing the death of Richard Smith, a carer, by careless driving in a collision on the A93 near Mains of Drum on October 25 2021.

Lightwood pulled out of a junction into the path of Mr Smith, leaving the 43-year-old so seriously injured he died at the scene.

In the wake of the collision, Lightwood, 40, was left distraught, sobbing “this is my fault” and “I think I’ve killed him”.

Fiscal depute Marie Lyons told Aberdeen Sheriff Court Lightwood, a commercial adviser, had no previous convictions.

Ms Lyons said Lightwood had been at Mains of Drum Garden Centre for lunch and was driving her Toyota Rav4 with her mother in the

passenger seat and two children in the back.

Just before 3pm, Lightwood left the garden centre and travelled towards the junction with the A93, where Mr Smith was riding from Drumoak towards Aberdeen.

He was wearing a black and yellow helmet and a jacket with reflective strips and fluorescent yellow mesh.

Ms Lyons said: “Witnesses all speak to Richard Smith riding normally and within the speed limit.

“As Richard Smith reached the junction for Drum Castle, the accused, who had been stopped at the junction, emerged from the give-way junction, directly into the path of Richard Smith.

“She stopped again but the offside of her vehicle collided with the front of his motorcycle. Witnesses all speak to Richard Smith having no time to react to the accused’s vehicle emerging from the junction into his path.”

A medical trauma team carried out “advanced life support” on Mr Smith but was unable to save him.

Defence counsel Frances McMenamin KC conveyed her “sincerest sympathies and condolences” on behalf of her client to Mr Smith’s family.

Sheriff Morag McLaughlin deferred sentence on Lightwood, of Lochside Crescent, Banchory, until next month for reports.

Naima Lightwood.