A motorist who died in a crash with an unmarked police car on the A9 last night has been named by police.
Dean Meiklejohn, 26, from Thurso, died when his blue Ford Fiesta lost control while overtaking on the northbound carriageway of the Inverness to Thurso road just after 7pm.
The police said today that the car had collided with an unmarked police vehicle that was being driven by an on-duty police officer, who assisted at the scene.
The road was closed for nine hours while specialist officers carried out investigations into the collision.
A spokeswoman for the force also said that a white van travelling out of Thurso took evasive action to avoid the crash.
A fifth vehicle was struck by debris from the collision.
Senior Investigating Officer, Sergeant Donnie MacKinnon, from the Trunk Road Patrol Group, said: “Tragically this collision has resulted in the driver of the Fiesta sustaining fatal injuries and we are currently trying to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
“Our sincere condolences are with the family and all left devastated by this tragic incident.
“I would like to thank all those who assisted at the scene and our colleagues from the Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue that were in attendance.”
“A full investigation has been conducted and is ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have information that would assist to come forward.
“Anyone who was on the A9 just outside Thurso at around 7pm on Thursday evening and witnessed what happened should contact police immediately by contacting 101.”
