A taxi driver has revealed he still suffers flashbacks nearly a year after a crash that claimed the life of a motorcyclist.
Dougie Smith was behind the wheel of a people carrier when it collided with biker Eoin MacDonald on the A92 Stonehaven to Montrose road last summer.
The father-of-two died at the scene, and police launched an investigation into the tragedy.
Last night the Crown Office confirmed nobody will be charged in connection with the incident.
But Mr Smith – who admitted he was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy – said he only found out he would not be prosecuted after speaking to Mr MacDonald’s father, who is a former work colleague.
The 58-year-old was arriving back at his home at St Cyrus Park when Mr MacDonald’s Triumph bike collided with his red Seat Alhambra.
The taxi driver – who knew Mr MacDonald, and had spoken to him on the morning of the crash – said: “I was never told whether I would be charged, I heard through the grapevine that I wouldn’t be and I eventually went to speak to the boy’s father – he said he’d been told there would be no charges.”
Mr Smith suffered a broken rib as well as cuts and bruises to his body, and was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Although he has made a full physical recovery and is working as a cabbie again, he said he still “freezes” when he hears a motorbike going past his home.
Mr Smith, who has only recently stopped attending weekly therapy sessions, said: “Sometimes I just freeze when I hear motorbikes going past outside, sometimes I’m scared and sometimes I’m alright.
“It’s just now and again I get memories of what happened. I was going to a therapist once a week in Inverbervie, but I’ve cut it down now. I just talk about what happened.
“It’s worse when I’m sitting doing nothing, that’s when I think about it.”
The Crown Office confirmed Mr MacDonald’s family had been aware of its decision.
A spokeswoman said: “The procurator fiscal received a report in connection with the death of a 38-year-old male in Aberdeenshire on June 28, 2015.
“After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, it was decided that no further investigation is required.
“The family have been informed of this decision.”
A police spokeswoman said: “It is normal procedure for the Crown Office to give us a decision of what proceedings are appropriate and Police Scotland then act on the instructions. In this case Police Scotland had not been notified that a decision had been taken.”
Mr MacDonald died just a year after his former partner – and the mother of his children – Lynsey Cargill, died in a motorbike accident near Dundee.
The 35-year-old was taking her motorbike test when she collided with a Ford Focus on the B954 Meigle to Dundee Road.
In a statement released after his death, Mr MacDonald’s family said he “loved life and his children”.
It read: “It is with great sadness that this has happened to our family unit, something that would be tragic for any family to bear. Eion was a valued family member who will be sadly missed by all.
“He loved life and his children, we will never forget him.”
Mr MacDonald was a contracts manager for Laurencekirk-based Peterkin Homes, having started his working life as a joiner.
