Hamilton

Lorry driver who killed husband & wife in tragic crash near Glasgow allowed to walk free

A LORRY driver who killed a husband and wife in a horror road smash has walked free from court.

David Scott, 33, failed to spot Mohammed and Shamim Rashid as they sat in queuing traffic on a slip road near Bellshill, Lanarkshire[1].

Crash victim Shamim Rashid passed away following the collision in August 2022

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Crash victim Shamim Rashid passed away following the collision in August 2022

His road sweeper ploughed into the back of their BMW 1 Series[2] which was then forced forward and collided with another car.

Emergency services[3] raced to the scene on the A725 in August 2022 and the Rashids, of Bellshill, were rushed to the Queen[4] Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow[5] for treatment.

Shamim, 66, died hours after arriving at hospital while Mohammed, 70, passed away from his injuries two weeks later.

Scott, of Blackwood, Lanarkshire, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted causing death by careless driving.


“Data recovered showed that 4.5 seconds before the first recorded impact, the BMW[6] began braking and was deemed to have stopped two seconds before the first recorded impact.

“David Scott was travelling behind the Rashid’s and failed to react to the traffic in front of him and collided with the rear of the BMW driven by Shamim Rashid which collided with the vehicle driven by Mr Bisset.”

She added: “The road traffic collision was the cause of the deaths of Mr and Mrs Rashid.”

The court was told Scott returned negative tests for alcohol and drugs.

John Scullion KC, defending, said: “Nothing said on Mr Scott’s behalf could ever alleviate the pain and suffering the family have had to endure since August 2022 and continue to suffer.

David Scott walked free asked killing a husband and wife in a horror crash

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David Scott walked free asked killing a husband and wife in a horror crash

“He hopes that they might find some solace in his acceptance of responsibility for the collision and since the day of the collision he has displayed remorse which is both genuine and profound.”

Scullion said Scott had shown a level of remorse he had ‘rarely seen’ and urged the sheriff to impose a direct alternative to custody for the incident which he claimed had been caused by ‘momentary inattention’.

Sheriff Speir said he had read ‘heart-wrenching’ victim impact statements from the couple’s daughters.

He added: “I’m unable to agree that the collision was caused by momentary inattention rather there were significant shortcomings in the standard of your driving.


“I’m persuaded that there is an appropriate way of dealing with you without a custodial sentence but it should not take away from the serious impact that your driving has caused.”

References

  1. ^ Lanarkshire (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  2. ^ ploughed into the back of their BMW 1 Series (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  3. ^ Emergency services (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  4. ^ the Queen (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  5. ^ Glasgow (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  6. ^ BMW (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)

Family pay tribute to ‘beloved Papa’ killed in horror hit-and-run as cops hunt plush Mercedes driver

A PENSIONER who died after being mowed down by a car in an early morning hit-and-run has been named.

James Craig, 70, lost his life after he was struck by a Mercedes motor[1] on the A723 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire[2] at the weekend.

James Craig died after he was struck by a car while crossing the A723 in Hamilton

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James Craig died after he was struck by a car while crossing the A723 in HamiltonCredit: Police Scotland

His heartbroken family hailed his “love, energy, and kindness” and described him as a “bright light” in their lives.

He was crossing the road near Quarry Street when the vehicle ploughed into him around 12.40am on Sunday.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised but tragically James could not be saved and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a moving statement, his family said: “Our beloved Dad and Papa was a bright light in our lives so full of love, energy, and kindness. It’s hard to believe he’s been taken from us far too soon.

Bomb squad called to Scots street & locals evacuated amid ‘ongoing police investigation’

Inspector Greg McLaughlan said: “Our investigation has established that the car made off in northerly direction following the crash and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to trace the driver.

“Despite the time, there were people and vehicles in the area, and we are keen to speak to any potential witnesses who have not yet spoken to officers. We are continuing to appeal to anyone else with information to come forward.

“I would urge anyone who was in the area between 12.30am and 12.45am to contact police.

“I would also take the opportunity to appeal directly to the driver involved to do the right thing. Please come forward, identify yourself and speak to us.”

Anyone with information or dash-cam or CCTV footage that could help is urged to contact Police Scotland[3] on 101, quoting incident number 0171 of Sunday, 27 October, 2024.

References

  1. ^ struck by a Mercedes motor (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  2. ^ Lanarkshire (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
  3. ^ Police Scotland (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)