Crime & Courts Tourist accused of killing five in north-east crash to stand trial in October By Connor Gordon June 29 2022, 2:37 pm June 29 2022, 2:37 pm Share Tourist accused of killing five in north-east crash to stand trial in October Share via Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Messenger Linkedin Email Post link https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/crime-courts/4476504/october-trial-date-for-a96-tragedy/ Copy Link Five people died in the accident on the A96, south of Keith. Image: Kath Flannery / DC Thomson An Italian man accused of killing five people in a fatal road smash – including his four-year-old son – will stand trial in October this year. Alfredo Ciociola, 50, is accused of causing the crash on the A96 near Keith on July 26 2018. Ciociola, from Sicily, is said to have crashed a Fiat minibus into a 4×4 after falling asleep at the wheel. Fellow Italians Frances Saliba, 63, and four-year-old Lorenzo Ciociola, who were passengers in the minibus died. Edward Reid, 63, of Macduff, Audrey Appleby, 70, and Evalyn Elrick, 69, both of Aberchirder, who were in the other car also died. Four others were also hurt in the crash. The charge further states Ciociola failed to pay proper attention, repeatedly braked and then drove onto the wrong side of the road. Ciociola pled not guilty today at the High Court in Glasgow to causing the five deaths and serious injury by dangerous driving. Judge Lord Matthews fixed the trial which will float for seven days at the High Court in Edinburgh. For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group. More from our crime and courts team Get the latest crime and court stories delivered straight to your inbox January 12, 2022 Man, 57, sexually assaulted vulnerable nine-year-old girl in cemetery April 26, 2024 Serial Highland sex attacker who preyed on children locked up for eight years April 26, 2024 Aberdeen sheriff found unfit for office after sexual harassment allegations April 26, 2024 Prosecutors drop money laundering case against former Dons star Shay Logan April 26, 2024 Highland teen drug-driver given fresh chance to ‘turn the corner’ April 26, 2024 Pair jailed after police find bags containing almost £100,000 of cannabis April 26, 2024 Woman who racially harassed child told ‘actions have consequences’ – and admonished April 26, 2024 Pensioner accidentally hit accelerator of high-speed electric car and caused four-vehicle crash April 26, 2024 Serial Fraserburgh fraudster facing jail after being found guilty of Hillary Clinton documentary scam April 25, 2024 Masked man caught with knife at 1am was ‘on way to bakery’ April 25, 2024 Former council leader appears in court accused of sexual offences in Inverness and Orkney April 25, 2024