Tired driver who killed city woman in crash is jailed
A VAN driver who fell asleep at the wheel and killed an Edinburgh woman when he ploughed into an oncoming car was jailed for 42 months today.
The High Court in Glasgow heard the family of victim Clare Hyder, 42, has forgiven Andrew Knox.
Knox, 26, who had driven from Manchester to Glasgow and was returning south, failed to take a bend.
He drove on to the wrong side of the road and crashed head-on into the Ford Focus being driven by principal civil engineer Michael Russell, horrifically injuring him.
Mr Russell’s passenger, civil engineer Miss Hyder, was sitting in the back seat because she was in plaster and using crutches as the result of an Achilles tendon injury.
She suffered horrific head injuries and two fractures to her pelvis and died in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, six days later.
Jailing Knox, judge Lord MacLean told him: “I take into account your early plea and expressions of remorse.”
He banned him from driving for five years.
Solicitor advocate Bill McVicar said: “He was aware of feeling tired, but wasn’t aware that he had nodded off. He accepts he should have pulled over and rested, because his actions have devastated two families.”
Knox, of Newmoston, Manchester, admitted causing the death of Miss Hyder by driving dangerously and allowing himself to be overcome by sleep.
The accident happened on the A701 Dumfries to Beattock road near Amisfield, Dumfries, on June 19, last year, around 3.30pm.
The court heard that first offender Knox had travelled that morning to Glasgow to install worktops and was on his way home. He left the motorway because he was stopping off en route to give a customer a quote.
Mr Russell and Miss Hyder were driving back to Edinburgh after attending a meeting in Dumfries.
Mr Russell was driving Miss Hyder because she was unable to drive due to her injury.
Ronnie Renucci, prosecuting, said: “She preferred to sit in the back seat with her leg up. The circumstances suggest she wasn’t wearing her seal belt.
“The accused was driving normally until he got to the bend. Instead of turning into it carried straight on. He then braked heavily before colliding with the Ford Focus.
“Mr Russell would have seen the van only at the last second and had no time to react.
“The accused was not badly hurt, but in shock. He told police he was asleep. He said he must have nodded off or been asleep.”
The court was told that Miss Hyder’s mother, father, brother and sister-in-law are devastated by her death, but described Knox as “another victim of the accident rather than as the villain of the piece”.
Mr Renucci added: “After Miss Hyder’s death various organs were donated.”
The court was told that Mr Russell suffered fractures to his pelvis and severe injuries to both arms.
He had to undergo eight major operations and now takes 20 painkillers a day.
He is still unable to return to work.
