A Montrose mechanic who killed a biker celebrating his birthday has admitted causing death by careless driving.
Father-of-two Douglas Lawie was riding with a friend in rural Angus when Alexander Stirling’s BMW collided with his Honda CB 1000.
Mr Lawie – who had turned 47 on the day of the crash on August 20 last year – was sent careering down the road and suffered fatal injuries.
Stirling was today told he could face a prison sentence after he admitted a charge of causing death by careless driving.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Mr Lawie – a businessman who ran an industrial supply company in Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire – had gone out on his bike with a friend when tragedy struck near Inverkeilor.
Fiscal depute John Adams told the court the crash happened when Stirling edged out into the opposing carriageway as he planned an overtake in a line of traffic.
He said: “The deceased had no time to react to the vehicle being in his side of the carriageway. The deceased and the motorcycle slid along the carriageway and came to a rest further on.
“The deceased was found breathing and conscious but moaning, obviously in pain and with a broken leg.”
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The court heard Mr Lawie appealed to his friend for help before he was rushed by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital.
Mr Adams continued: “During the journey his breathing deteriorated and he was met with a trauma team en-route.
“Upon arrival he went into cardiac arrest and despite numerous attempts to resuscitate him he passed away.”
Mr Adams added: “An expert report found no defects with either vehicle. The collision occurred approximately one metre into the deceased’s side of the road.
“There could be no blame at all attached to the deceased.”
Defence counsel Ian Duguid QC said Stirling, 23, of Montrose, was “remorseful for his actions and the consequences”.
He added: “My submission ultimately is that this was a terrible accident and the misjudgement was towards the lower end of the scale.
“This was a terrible accident with life changing consequences.
“The accused is a thoroughly responsible, diligent and decent young man and for that reason these events have been quite shocking for him and the members of his family who are supporting him today.
“The collision was rather unusually between the side of the car and the extremity of the handlebars of the motorcycle.
“The consequence was that the handlebars turned in to the vehicle and the motorcycle collided with the side of the BMW.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence until July 4 for social work background reports and released Stirling on bail meantime.
He said: “I would express my condolences and those of the court to the family of Mr Lawie.
“Mr Lawie lost his life and did so in circumstances that were dreadful. All sentencing options are open up to and including a custodial sentence.”
