A man accused of causing an Elgin grandmother’s death by driving dangerously has denied taking heroin before the crash – and insists he can not remember what had happened.
Alin Jar is on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen, accused of causing Jamesina Stewart’s death by driving while under the influence of morphine.
It is alleged he fell asleep behind the wheel and crossed into the other lane of the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road, before crashing into the car Ms Stewart was a passenger in near the Toll of Birness.
The jury has previously heard morphine had been found in Jar’s blood, and a forensic scientist said it could have got there through painkillers or by him taking diamorphine – more commonly known as heroin.
Yesterday, the 31-year-old, of Clifton Road, Aberdeen, gave evidence in his defence, and insisted he had not taken the drug.
Defence counsel David Moggach also drew the jurors’ attention to his client’s stay in hospital after the crash, with Jar advising that he had not been treated for any symptoms of drug withdrawal.
The jury had previously seen Jar’s interview with the police after he was detained in January last year.
During this, he said he had no memory of the crash on March 5, 2016.
Yesterday, Mr Moggach asked if he remembered driving northwards on the A90 to deliver a car.
Jar replied: “Not specifically, I remember exiting Aberdeen on the Bridge of Don road, I can remember cones on the side of the road, that is the last thing I remember.
“The next thing my colleague was speaking to me through the window and I was unable to move.”
But advocate depute Bernard Ablett refused to accept he had no memory of the collision – pointing out that Mrs Stewart’s daughter, Amanda Todd, who was seriously injured, could recall what happened despite her pain.
He said to him: “You heard all the injuries Mrs Todd suffered did you not?
“The accident must have caused an awful lot of shock to Mrs Todd and yet she remembers the accident, tell us what happened Mr Jar.”
Jar replied: “I have just told you the last thing I remember is exiting Aberdeen.”
Ms Stewart, 57, had been heading back from a trip to Mintlaw with her daughter and son-in-law Malcolm when the crash happened.
Jar has admitted driving carelessly on that occasion but denies the dangerous charge.
The trial, before Lord Woolman, continues.
