A driver swerved into the path of traffic and caused a head-on crash – as he fiddled with the air conditioning setting.
Martin Ward’s red Vauxhall Corsa hit an oncoming car on the A96 Elgin-Inverness road near Lhanbryde on February 24.
The 25-year-old, his passenger Marjorie Sanderson and two German tourists in the white Corsa he hit all spent several weeks in hospital recovering from serious injuries.
Yesterday, Ward admitted careless driving when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court.
Fiscal Alison Wylie said the 25-year-old swerved into the face of traffic while trying to avoid cars slowing for a junction.
And air ambulance was called to the scene of the crash and the A96 was closed for several hours.
Fire crews also freed casualties from the wreckage of the vehicles at the Urquhart Road junction.
Ms Wylie added that Ward, who was formerly employed as a pizza delivery driver, suffered a shattered vertebrae and several broken bones in his legs.
Ms Sanderson was taken to hospital with a perforated bowel, a hole in her stomach, and broken ankle.
The German driver, who swerved to take avoiding action to protect his wife, had to spend “several weeks” in hospital in Scotland numerous injuries after suffering multiple broken bones and a punctured lung.
His wife had a broken bone in her back and broken toes.
Ward walked into the dock with the support of a crutch as he continues his recovery from the smash.
His agent, solicitor Brent Lockie, told the court his client was “remorseful” following the crash and had only lost concentration momentarily while changing the air conditioning settings.
He said: “Mr Ward considered asking a friend who speaks German to write a letter of apology to the couple but thought better of it while the proceedings were still ongoing.”
Sheriff Chris Dickson said Ward was fortunate not to be facing more serious charges.
Everyone involved in the crash is expected to make a full recovery.
Ward, of St Andrew’s Court, Buckie, was banned from driving for nine months and 15 days and fined £600.
