A motorist has been charged with killing his best friend in a car crash as he travelled home from his grandmother’s funeral.
Marc McDonald appeared in court yesterday accused of causing the death of Gavin Farquhar in a smash on the A99 Wick-John O’Groats road.
The 30-year-old from the hamlet of Reiss in Caithness was also accused of dangerous driving on various occasions on the route between February 1 and 12 last year – the day of the accident.
McDonald made no plea during a brief appearance on petition in private before Sheriff Andrew Berry at Wick Sheriff Court yesterday.
He was released on bail.
Welder Mr Farquhar, who also stayed at Reiss, was a passenger in McDonald’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution when it left the road near the Quoys of Reiss farm, a mile south of Keiss.
McDonald, who is also a welder, suffered multiple injuries.
The pair had been at the funeral of McDonald’s grandmother, Elizabeth McPhee, at Wick Cemetery earlier in the day.
The road was closed for eight hours after the accident while police carried out an investigation and diversions were put in place.
Mr Farquhar was described as a “special” man at his funeral service in Wick St Fergus Church.
The Rev John Nugent read a tribute to him written by his young nephew Connor.
It said: “Gavin you are not only the best uncle in the world, you are my best friend, so kind, loving and generous.
“You are so funny and always make me laugh.
“Life will never be the same without you, Gavin. You’re my world and I love you to bits.
“I will try my best to make you proud in the way that I was proud of you. I miss you so much already.”
Mr Nugent said: “You couldn’t put it any better than that, could you?”
Friends also paid tribute to Mr Farquar on social media at the time, including Yvonne Weir from Wick who said: “God has gained another and left a void where you should be.”
