A drug-driver who sped around a bend and lost control of his Jaguar knocked a cyclist off his bike, causing the 65-year-old to break his collar bone.
Matthew Morrison seriously injured the cyclist after clipping his bike as he drove at excessive speed near Fort William.
Morrison – formerly of Gairlochy, Spean Bridge but now living in Malta – appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court.
He admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving while having an over-the-safe limit amount of cannabis in his system.
The 34-year-old camper van hire company director caused the collision on April 2 2021 as he travelled north on the A82, the court was told.
Travelling at excessive speed
The dangerous driver was travelling at excessive speed when he negotiated the bend near the Fort William Golf Club junction, which had several hazard warnings beforehand.
Morrison then hit his brakes hard as he was confronted by the cyclist, who was accompanied by his 36-year-old son.
But his black Jaguar XJR fish-tailed, spun around 180 degrees and clipped the man’s bicycle, sending him crashing to the ground.
The cyclist suffered a broken collar bone and other injuries, Sheriff Gerard Sinclair heard.
‘The contact was minimal’
Fiscal depute Susan Love explained: “Witnesses saw smoke coming from the brakes and heard screeching. The two cyclists were in a single line and his car made contact with one of them”.
Defence solicitor Ronnie Simpson told the court: “There was no damage to the bike which was still rideable after this. So the contact was minimal.
“As he entered the bend, he was presented with two cyclists in front of him and if he didn’t react instantly, he would go through them. He moved out but was hindered by an oncoming vehicle.
“He had to navigate between the two cyclists and the vehicle but the ABS did not operate for whatever reason and his vehicle fish-tailed, touching the back of the bicycle.
‘Genuine remorse’
Mr Simpson added: “My client provided a jacket for the cyclist to keep him comfortable until the arrival of the police and ambulance and later contacted him expressing genuine remorse.
“But for the controlled substance, this reads like careless driving. He is not a regular user and had taken cannabis a few days before the incident. He was surprised he was over the limit.
“At the time, he rented camper vans in Fort William and the business suffered during Covid.
“It ceased trading and then he entered a divorce. He has relocated to Malta where he has a new partner and intends setting up a business.”
Sheriff Sinclair deferred the sentencing of Morrison until December 8 to allow time for a background report.
