A pensioner who fell asleep at the wheel and caused a crash on the A9 has admitted careless driving.
William Knowles’ car crossed onto the opposite carriageway of the Highland trunk road near to its junction with the B9152 outside Aviemore on August 31 last year.
Knowles himself was the only person injured in the incident, which saw him collide with an oncoming lorry and car.
The road was partially blocked for around two hours after the crash.
The 70-year-old was not present for sentencing at Inverness Sheriff Court, having previously pled guilty to a charge of careless driving.
Crash caused ‘significant damage’
Fiscal depute David Barclay told the court that the collision had caused: “Significant damage to the various vehicles involved,” but explained that Knowles was the only person injured.
Speaking about the cause of the incident Mr Barclay said: “He was frank, indicating that he thinks he may have fallen asleep.”
The fiscal depute added that the other drivers involved were “somewhat sympathetic” to Knowles.
Pensioner cooperated with police on A9
Solicitor John MacColl, for Knowles, told the court his client had cooperated with police at the roadside, providing a negative breath test and completing an eyesight test.
He explained that the retired man lived in a rural village with no shops, making his driving licence important to him.
He added that without it, Knowles would be unable to continue voluntary work reading newspaper articles for the blind.
Sheriff Sara Matheson fined Knowles, of Upper Froyle, Hampshire, £840 and imposed nine penalty points.
