A man has appeared in court accused of killing a dog walker while riding a motorbike, in the dark, with no lights on.
Josephine Fernie died on November 16 last year after allegedly being struck by a motorcycle on the A917 Pittenweem to Anstruther road in the East Neuk of Fife.
Ignacio Abecia, 46, of Sou’wester Court, Cellardyke, Fife, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court accused of causing the 54-year-old’s death by dangerous driving.
Prosecutors allege he rode his Triumph TT600 motorbike on the rural road without front or rear lights during the hours of darkness.
They say he then collided with Mrs Fernie who was “so severely injured that she died”.
Abecia made no plea during a brief private hearing, where he faced a single charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael continued the case for further examination and released Abecia on bail pending further court dates being set.
Originally from Alva in Clackmannanshire, Mrs Fernie worked for Fife Council and lived in Anstruther.
She had been walking with her dog along the dark stretch of the road when she was killed.
The motorcyclist was taken to Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital for further treatment to injuries he sustained in the crash.
In a statement released through Police Scotland after Mrs Fernie’s death, her family said: “Josephine was a remarkable woman who would do anything for anyone.
“The most loving caring wife anyone could have as well as the most loving Mum in the world, always there when you wanted a laugh.”
Mrs Fernie’s death prompted calls for a road safety review, with North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie suggesting the route – which was used as a popular way for children to walk to school – should be examined for safety flaws
“Children from Pittenweem have to walk along that road to get to Waid Academy,” he said.
“There’s quite a lot of anger and frustration about the safety of that section of road.
“Nobody knows whether this accident could have been prevented.
“But given there are long standing concerns, it would be an appropriate time to respond to this with a proper review.”
Fife Council said there were no plans for additional road improvements or lighting in the area, but did pledge to work closely with the police as part of their investigation.
