First picture of teen who died in Highlands crash as tributes pour in
A teenager who died in a two-car crash in the Highlands has been pictured for the first time as tributes pour in.[1]
Ruben MacDonald, 18, tragically passed away following a crash[2] with a white Ford Transit van while he was a passenger in a black Ford Focus on Monday November 10.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene[3] just south of the Cromarty Bridge, Alness, at around 9.40pm. Advertisement Advertisement
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Ruben was rushed to hospital where he sadly died a short time later.[4]
The other occupants of the Focus, an 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, were also raced to hospital where the man remains in a serious but stable condition and the woman continues to receive treatment for serious, non-critical injuries[5].
The 50-year-old male driver of the van was arrested[6] in connection with a road traffic offence and released pending further enquiries.
Ruben MacDonald -Credit:Police Scotland
Tributes[7] have since flooded in for the 18-year-old following his death.
Summer Gemmell wrote: "Rubs was taken far too soon, he impacted so many and was loved and appreciated so much. Advertisement
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"I am so grateful for sharing memories with you and I will forever cherish them.
"My thoughts are with his family as they truly do not deserve this loss.
"Ruben you will always be remembered as the caring, funny and lovely person that you are.
"Fly high Rubs, you'll always be truly missed."
Mairi Kate Taylor added: "RIP.
So very sad. He was a lovely lad. Deepest condolences to his family."
Road Policing Sergeant Kate Finlayson said: "Our thoughts remain with Ruben's family and friends who have requested that their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the collision and I'd appeal to anyone with information, who has not already spoken to police, to come forward."
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A Police Scotland spokesperson added: "A man who died following a collision on the A9 has been named as 18-year-old Ruben MacDonald from Alness.
"Officers were called to the two-vehicle crash, involving a white Ford Transit van and a black Ford Focus, south of the Cromarty Bridge around 9.40pm on Monday, 10 November, 2025.
"Ruben was a passenger in the Ford Focus. He was taken to hospital where he died a short time later.
"An 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, also occupants of the Focus, were taken to hospital. The man remains in a serious but stable condition.
The woman continues to receive treatment for serious, non-critical injuries. Advertisement Advertisement
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"A 50-year-old man, the driver of the van, was arrested in connection with a road traffic offence and released pending further enquiries.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3378 of 10 November, 2025."