An Elgin lorry driver has admitted causing the death of a pensioner in a “tragic” road smash.
Glenn Craib yesterday admitted causing the death of Witold Solski, 65, by driving carelessly on the A90 Aberdeen to Dundee.
The 45-year-old had been on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen accused of death by dangerous driving, but proceedings were halted when he accepted an amended charge of death by careless driving.
Craib, of Cockmuir Place, Elgin, was transporting Christmas trees in an HGV vehicle in November 2015 when he approached the junction with the A90, coming out of Careston.
As he was entering the dual carriageway he crossed the lane to head south and stopped in the central reservation, leaving part of his vehicle hanging over into the direction of oncoming traffic.
While he waited for traffic to clear, the trailer was struck by a white Skoda Octavia driven by Dundee pensioner Mr Solski.
The 65-year-old was cut free from the wreckage of his car, but could not be saved.
A 30-year-old female passenger in Mr Solski’s car was taken to Ninewells Hospital but was not seriously injured.
Addressing the jury yesterday, presiding Judge Morris said: “I think you have to look at carelessness in this case.
“It can be a momentary lapse of concentration and in this case it’s clearly a tragic accident.
“It’s come to an abrupt conclusion but you may feel it’s come to a fair conclusion.”
On the first day of the trial, tractor driver Barry Tait told the jury he had first seen the lorry in the central reservation from about 200 yards away, and estimated the trailer was sticking about “four feet” into the outside lane of the dual carriageway as it approached the A90.
Mr Tait, who had been driving a tractor on the same side of the road as Mr Solski when the collision took place, said: “I then saw a car overtake me, I was surprised that it didn’t return to the inside lane.”
Advocate depute Ashley Edwards asked if the car had swerved before the collision, and he replied: “No, it just carried on in a straight line until it hit the lorry.”
Craib will return to court today to be sentenced.
